The RSPCA are recommending that horse owners plan for the future of their ageing equines by investing in ‘pony pensions’.
The charity has said that people should budget for the costs involved in caring for a horse past their working life. With horses living on average between 25 and 35 years that could be for a very long time.
There are also concerns over the increase in numbers of unwanted animals due to owners no longer being able to afford to keep them.
Last week the Horse Trust said that the demand to rehome equines had increased fivefold due to the recession.
Katie Price aka Jordan is to play in a celebrity polo game at the British Open Show Jumping Championships at the Birmingham NEC this April.
The match will consist of two chukkas and is intended to give visitors an insight into the game of polo.
Jordan will captain Team KP Equestrian. The other celebrity team is yet to be confirmed.
Katie who was told that she was not wanted at the Cartier Polo International tournament last July as she was ‘too chavvy’ said:
“I’ve played polo before and really enjoyed it so I’m definitely looking forward to going head-to-head with another celebrity and hopefully scoring a few goals! And, unlike some polo matches I could mention, this one is open to anyone who wants to buy a ticket!”
For tickets visit the official website at www.britishopenshowjumping.com.
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reported that unwanted equines are being bought for as little as €20 and are kids are even swapping PlayStations and mobile phones for horses.
These horses will never be looked after properly as the young people purchasing them do not have the resources. It can cost upwards of €75 a week to put a horse on livery and just turning them out in a field or tethering them is not an option at this time of year.
The society normally deals with about 40 unwanted horse per year but they have had over 30 in the past four months alone.
Irish Charities are now considering a cull of animals in their care as their facilities are being so stretched.
A 41 year old farmer from Midlothian has been fined £400 for beeping his car horn at two women riding through his barley field on 30 May 2008.
Christopher Mann of Gorebridge appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he admitted a causing a breach of the peace.
The riders, Angela Brand and Rhona More were riding through the barley field when they were approached by Mann in his car. He stopped the car and shouted at them. The two women replied that they were not causing any damage. Mann then starting blasting his horn near to the riders then drove off whilst continuing to sound the horn. Miss Brand called the police.
Defence agent, John Good, said his client had been upset by the women riding through the field which was clearly contained a crop.
HAPPA was founded in 1937 and is one of the oldest equine welfare charities in the United Kingdom.
It campaigns in the fight against the live transport of horses for slaughter and works to improve existing legislation to protect horses and donkeys from cruelty and neglect.
HAPPA officers investigate over 800 equine welfare cases each year. Owners are offered support and advice with prosecution used as a last resort if necessary.
Animals rescued by HAPPA are taken to their centres at Lancashire and Gwent where they are nursed back to health. Approximately 80 equines are in care at any one time with a weekly cost of around £12,000.
Horses, ponies and donkeys are never sold but they are available for loan to good homes.
To find more about HAPPA and the ways in which you can support them please visit their website.
http://www.happa.org.uk
