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.