A young colt aged approximately 15-18 months old has been rescued by equine welfare charity HorseWorld after he was found injured and covered in harness sores on a main road through Avonmouth.
In an act of abhorrent cruelty, the youngster now known as Jack was abandoned suffering with horrific harness wounds consistent with pulling a horse drawn vehicle at speed.
“We were called to the scene by Avon and Somerset Police” Said HorseWorld’s Managing Director, Mark Owen. “We have named the colt Jack after one of our previous Trustees, Jack Howe who sadly passed away in June this year. Jack was a firm believer in standing up for what is morally right and was a voice for the horses and the staff who care for them. I am sure he would have been very proud of our rescue team for coming to the rescue of this poor horse.
“Jack (the horse) was not micro-chipped so as yet a prosecution has not been possible, although we will be assisting the police with any enquiries they have to bring his abusers to justice. We have micro-chipped and passported him, as is the law for a horse over six-months-old, so legally he now belongs HorseWorld and will have a fantastic life ahead of him.
“Jack’s injuries are deep both physically and psychologically. He has a nasty wound under his tail where the crupper of his harness has dug in and sores across the top of his front legs where a breastcollar has been used too low. He was also wearing a shoe with a winged edge on one hoof, presumably to influence his gait, but there was evidence he had been shod on all four hooves. It is heart-breaking to see. The youngster is understandably very frightened but is now receiving all the veterinary care he needs and is under the watchful eye of our experienced welfare team who will gently nurse him back to health and help him to learn to trust humans again. Once healthy, he will go out in a herd to be given time to grow up at his own pace and will join other horses who have also been rescued from around this area. We would like to thank the police and vets involved in making this rescue possible.”
Jack will remain at HorseWorld’s Welfare Department for the foreseeable future where he will be nursed back to health and will receive all of the veterinary attention he needs to grow into a strong and healthy horse. If you would like to make a donation towards Jack’s ongoing care, a Just Giving page has been set up which you can access here. Alternatively, please call 01275 893020
