Animal lovers ride to rescue of neglected horses

The RSPCA has applauded horse lovers for rehoming 100 animals kept in horrific conditions on a farm.

The horses, ponies and donkeys were rescued by the charity three years ago from James Gray's Spindle Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

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At the time, the RSPCA said it was the worst case of neglect they had seen.

In 2009 Gray was convicted of neglect and sentenced to 26 weeks in jail.

He appealed against his sentence but vanished from court. When he was eventually found, he was jailed for eight months.

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Many of the animals had little food or dry bedding and were crammed into pens, fetlock-deep in faeces.

Other horses were simply left to die where they fell.

After nursing them back to health, the RSPCA put 37 horses up for adoption and more than 1,500 people applied. New homes were also found for 80 horses rescued from elsewhere.

Liz Downes, from Lincolnshire, adopted Shetland mares Rosie and Ruby. She said: "Rosie is still very shy and wary of people. She had a horrendous experience and horses have got long memories.

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"But if you treat them with patience and kindness they soon come round."

RSPCA equine rehoming officer Sally Learoyd said: "We would like to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who supported us.

"Some very experienced, knowledgeable people came forward and the horses are doing well in brilliant homes. The horses have had a long, difficult journey but now have great futures ahead of them – it's wonderful to see."