Please bear in mind that this is not a 'rescue' story as such and some people may find the details upsetting.
Tragic Drowning at Appleby Horse Fair
Redwings has played a vital part in the successful police prosecution of a man who drowned his own horse in June 2007 as he took part in the traditional ‘river washing’ at the annual Appleby Horse Fair.
A court in Cumbria heard details of how Ian Deer wrapped the end of his lead rope tightly round his 3 year old colt’s nose to force it into the river. This action so restricted the horse’s breathing that it was already showing signs of distress before having fully entered the water. Once in the deeper part of the river the youngster was also prevented from swimming naturally and keeping its nostrils above water. Understandably, the colt began to struggle wildly, but rather than recognising there was a problem, his owner apparently interpreted the behaviour as ‘playing up’ and used brute strength to prevent the animal’s attempts to save itself.
Horses and handlers take part in the ritual washing tradition at Appleby Horse Fair. Horses can enjoy swimming, but they should never be forced into the water.
Redwings’ vet and Head of Welfare Nic de Brauwere regularly attends Appleby Horse Fair to provide specialist veterinary support to both visiting horse owners and welfare agencies such as the RSPCA and he carried out the post mortem on the drowned colt. The Fair is attended by an estimated 30,000 horse owners and visitors and is a big event in the calendar of the travelling community. Nic notes that whilst there is always plenty to keep him busy for the duration of the Fair, which takes place in June every year, incidents like this are exceptional and are considered as unacceptable by the majority of the travelling community as they are by the general public and welfare professionals.
The case highlights the importance of handling skills as part of basic good horsemanship. Nic points out ‘In this circumstance, a young and perfectly healthy horse experienced extreme suffering and died a completely avoidable death. Whilst we fully respect the tradition of horse washing at Appleby when carried out sensitively, the death of this horse shows that it is a risky activity and people must be alert to the welfare of their animals at all times. When things go wrong they can sadly go very wrong, very quickly’.
It took police several months to locate Mr Deer, owner of the drowned colt. He was charged under the new Animal Welfare Act and pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his equine at Penrith Magistrates Court in February. The severity of the case led the District Judge to pass a custodial sentence and Mr Deer was sentenced in March to 28 days in prison and a five year ban from keeping any animal.
>back
