A five-year-old horse has been put to sleep after being dumped in a ‘half-dead’ state on a country lane.
Suffering
The cob-type mare was spotted in Haslemere, Surrey on 27 January by a member of the public. He called the RSCPA for help.
“The man who found her mistook her for a log at first – she was so weak and still said RSPCA inspector Rebecca Carter. “She had just been left there, suffering, in a half-dead state.
“It was lucky she was spotted at all really, as not many people would pass by this remote spot.”
The mare couldn’t stand up and was suffering from a condition called cyathostomiasis, caused by red worm, which results in severe diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss.
Extra cruel
The RSPCA called a vet, but nothing could be done to save her. According to Rebecca cyathostomiasis is a major problem in neglected horses, but it can be treated if caught in time.
“It makes cases like this seem so pointless and extra cruel as they are so easy to avoid,” she said.
“She was so collapsed that she just could not get up and you could see the ground flattened around her – so it is likely she had been there for quite some time.”
There was bruising around the horse’s mouth, which indicates she was probably dragged to the secluded spot as she was unable to walk.
Terribly sad
“She was a real sweetheart – it was just so terribly sad,” Rebecca added. “I spent some time with her while waiting for the vet and tried to give her a bit of the love she had been missing.
“She even tried to follow me even though she was just too weak to manage it – eager to trust humans again after they had treated her so poorly.”
Anyone with any information about how this horse should contact 0300 123 8018.