It is an inescapable fact, that throughout this country, much suffering is caused to horses and ponies through neglect, ill-treatment and exploitation. Cruelty can be active, in that it is deliberately inflicted, or passive, by failing through carelessness, callousness or ignorance to provide necessary care and conditions.

DO NOT THINK THAT THIS IS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.

It is the moral and legal responsibility of anyone who sees an animal that is being cruelly treated, in distress or in poor health, to make every effort, to alleviate its plight. This should be done immediately, not sometime in the future.

If you see, or hear of, any horse or pony in distress, report it at once. Be sure of your facts, and if possible, get a witness to support your statement. You need to know (if possible)

• The owner's name and address. Alternatively the owner of the land on which the horse is kept.
• The time(s) and date(s) when you saw the animal(s).
• A description of the location - field, buildings, road, any landmarks, so that it will be easy to find.
• A description of the animal with all-possible detail; colour, sex, approximate age and height, distinguishing marks etc. (eg. - "Chestnut mare, about l2.2hh, white star on face, white sock on off hind leg.”)
• The cause of your concern. (ie lameness, severely undernourished, over-ridden, unacceptable living conditions, lame, very thin, open wound above knee on near foreleg, bald patch on near shoulder etc.
• A description of the people actually abusing an animal. Try to give an accurate description ("a man" or "two boys" is not sufficiently specific.)

Do NOT go on to private land without permission. You can be sued if wilful damage to any of the property can be proved. If you are seen touching the horse, an irate owner could try to sue you for causing it injury. If you should have any sort of accident on this land - such as the horse kicking you - you are liable, not the landowner. Investigations must be carried out with great care.

If you believe that a horse or pony is in distress and needs help, you should contact AT ONCE any of the following, but please remember that not all organisations provide a round the clock service.

The Police, unlike the Welfare Organisations, have legal power of enforcement under the law. They are obliged to follow up your complaint, but may not wish to do so at once, unless you make it clear that the matter is urgent.

The Welfare of Horses in Markets (Order 1990 No. 2627) became effective on March 1st 1991. Its provisions include:

- That every animal should be provided with an adequate supply of clean drinking water as often as necessary to keep it from suffering from thirst.

- That a veterinary surgeon should be called in to attend to ailing or injured animals.

- That litter, or other suitable material should be used on all surfaces where there is a risk of animals slipping.

- That pens should not be overcrowded and that regard should be given to differences in age, sex, size and temperament of the animals.

- That stallions (including rigs), pregnant mares, donkeys, fractious or unbroken animals and those that are injured or sick should be penned separately.

- That each mare with a foal at foot and each animal whose hind feet are shod should be kept separate

- That no person shall handle a horse at a market by lifting it from the ground or by dragging it along the ground by the head, neck, ear, leg or tail.

- That no person shall bring to the market a foal (the legal definition of which is: a horse under the age of 4 months) unless at the foot of its dam, or expose separately for sale a foal which has been brought to market at the foot of its dam. Also, no person shall separate a foal from its dam while they are awaiting removal from the market after being exposed for sale.

If you should see any instances of failure to observe the legislation - or indeed any ill-treatment whatsoever in the Market - complain at once to the Auctioneers Office.

Try also to contact and consult one of the following -

• The DEFRA Veterinary Surgeon
• The local DEFRA office.
• An official of the Trading Standards Department of the local authority.
• The Local Authority Animal Welfare Officer
• A representative of an Animal Welfare organisation.
• The RSPCA
• The Police

Remember it is possible that not all - or any of these – will be available. If the matter is not dealt with to your satisfaction, or if you consider the offence to be sufficiently serious, you must complain to the Animal Welfare Officer at the Local County or District Council Offices. He/she is responsible for conditions at the market, the correct conduct and for enforcing the relevant legal provisions. Either telephone or go in person, if possible taking a reliable witness to confirm your statement. If you have not been able to find a police officer at the market, telephone or go to the police station.

Finally, if you have a concern about the welfare of a horse at a sale or elsewhere, report it and insist on action. Do not try to take direct action yourself. Please accept the result even if it not what you want to hear and bear in mind that the investigating bodies are the experts