Horses found near to death
2011-03-31
MEMBERS of the Wellington SPCA were horrified last week when they came across a dead horse as well as another two who had been badly mistreated. The SPCA received information from a Tulbagh farmer about the horses who had found their way onto his property. On arrival, a thoroughbred mare was found dead, and two other thoroughbreds were so badly malnourished and dehydrated, that it was doubtful that they would survive. Furthermore, both of them have various abscesses on their bodies and sores which have been created by tar burns (tar is often incorrectly used to treat horses against tick infestations). SPCA chairperson Anne-Lida Schlemmer said that this case of horse neglect was the worst that she has ever seen. “The horses are fine, young thoroughbreds and if they had been looked after properly, they would be magnificent animals. “They had been abandoned with no food or water and had to watch their friend die a slow,agonising death. “The one mare which we came across, was so weak that she could no longer walk. She spent the whole weekend on a drip and it was a miracle when she found her feet again. “The surviving two horses are 4 years and 8 years old and their lives are only just beginning.” The SPCA is currently trying to establish who the rightful owner of the horses is. In the mean time, the horses are being cared for by well-known Wellington horse doctor, Jim Antrobus, and his wife Merle. The weekend vet bill for only one of the horses has already exceeded R4 000.
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