Buckinghamshire Horses : ILPH gives sanctuary to eleven horses

We all reach for words such as ‘horrific’, ‘dreadful’, ‘shocking’ and ‘appalling’ far too freely to describe any situation we consider remotely bad.

Words really do fail me! –Doubtless, you will have seen the story on the news, or read about it in your newspaper.  I am sure you share my feelings.  

This is what the RSPCA-led rescue mission found at the site:

• 31 horses dead and decomposing.
• 111 very scared horses, ponies and donkeys with awful injuries and in an extremely emaciated state.
• Three of the horses in such a poor condition that it was kindest to put them down immediately.

Present at the rescue mission led by the RSPCA, was an ILPH Field Officer who has witnessed many scenes of cruelty, but this particular case was one of the worst. “I have never seen a situation as grave as this, with the sheer number of horses involved and the overcrowded conditions they were living in.’

Eleven horses are now safely in our Isolation Unit where they are being closely monitored.  They are receiving all the medical care, nutritious food and love that has been sadly lacking from their lives for a long time. It will take many months, perhaps longer, for these horses to recover from their ordeal. Of course, we will give them all the time they need.

This case has caught the attention of the nation. We have been overwhelmed by the response from our supporters and the general public – so many of you want to do something to help.

The sudden arrival of so many horses needing intense and specialist care means there is now a real strain on our yard. We need to free up space for these recent emergency admissions. The best way you could help is to offer a home to one of the horses or ponies currently waiting re-homing through our loan scheme. Please visit www.ilph.org for more information about our horses that are ready to be re-homed.

Eleven extra horses in such a serious condition will undoubtedly mean extra costs – we estimate these to be £66,000. Any gift you can give the ILPH would be very much appreciated.

Please visit this page to donate online

I am sorry to write to you about such a distressing case, but I knew you would want to know that the ILPH is doing everything we possibly can. I promise you that each of the eleven horses now in our care will be shown that humans are capable of kindness and can be trusted.

We will keep you up to date on events as they unfold over the coming months and the progress of the horses in our care. Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Tyler
Deputy Chief Executive & Director of UK Operations, ILPH