Horse Trader

A woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to failing to care for her horses properly. Renee Walker, 31, from Lincolnshire, appeared in Grimsby Magistrates Court last Friday for sentencing after she admitted failing to meet the needs of her horses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

She received a 12 month ban on keeping horses and was ordered to pay £500 in costs. World Horse Welfare and RSPCA representatives visited a site in Grasby in 2010, where 41 horses were being kept. Renee Walker was advised to find suitable housing for the animals. She moved the horses to different locations, but it was discovered on a later visit to The Orchards in Utterby, Lincolnshire, that one of the horses, Minka, had not been cared for properly. Minka was found with a horrific infected wound on her face and was moved and rehomed at the Bransby Home of Rest for Horses in Lincolnshire.

In 2011, RSPCA representatives visited a field off Station Road, Healing, in Lincolnshire after World Horse Welfare received calls from members of the public concerned about the welfare of a group of horses. One horse was removed from the site and there were further concerns about the poor conditions that the animals were being kept in. David Boyd, World Horse Welfare’s Chief Field Officer, said of Walker’s sentence: “We were pleased that she received a ban but were anticipating a slightly longer ban. However, this case clearly highlights the problem of owning too many horses as it is detrimental to the welfare of the animals.

“People should really think twice before taking on too many horses as there are many financial implications involved. Increasingly World Horse Welfare’s Field Officers are called to welfare concerns across the UK as a result of members of the public thinking they can look after numerous horses. The reality is that many can’t especially during the winter months when more hay and concentrate feed is needed, which can be costly.”