Save abandoned horses, pleads MP (From Daily Echo)
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Save abandoned horses, pleads MP
4:00am Friday 28th December 2012 in News
Save abandoned horses, pleads MP
A HAMPSHIRE MP has highlighted the plight of unwanted horses.
Former energy secretary Chris Huhne was at the Epona Trust at Allington Lane in West End as he revealed 6,000 horses and ponies faced being abandoned across the country.
The Eastleigh MP has teamed up with the trust, which specialises in equine rescue and rehabilitation, in a bid to raise awareness of the crisis.
It comes as six key animal welfare charities warned of neglect caused by irresponsible breeding, spiralling care bills, the wet and cold weather, and rock-bottom sale prices.
Mr Huhne was given a tour of the trust headquarters, based at the Russells Equestrian Centre, and shown two horses, Severn and Crunchie who have both been rescued after being abandoned.
He said: “The cases of Severn and Crunchie are truly appalling, but sadly this is not uncommon. We must get a grip on this problem before the situation gets totally out of hand and more horses are needlessly neglected, or worse.
“The RSPCA and Eastleigh Borough Council have done excellent work to combat illegal horse tethering, but I’m afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg and councils need help from government to crack down on this sort of practice.
“There should be stricter controls on horse ownership, with better enforcement on horse imports and exports.
“We should also look again at the Tripartite agreement between the UK, Ireland and France – this allows the import and export of vulnerable horses and ponies into and out of the three countries without health certificates.”
“I’d urge anyone buying a horse to think carefully about it, and to check whether they really have the resources to look after it properly in the long-term? The Epona Trust says it costs at least £3,000 a year.”
Comments(17)
Huey
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8:56am Fri 28 Dec 12
The Wickham Man
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9:37am Fri 28 Dec 12
hulla baloo wrote:Agreed. We mustn't pick on those "Horse loving" Irish travellers because ill treating animals is part of their culture so that would be racist.
Will they start with the horse racers, breeders and travellers or pick on the easy targets that have a small holding or paddock?
Lord Ikea
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10:03am Fri 28 Dec 12
Linesman
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10:24am Fri 28 Dec 12
Dasal
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11:41am Fri 28 Dec 12
derek james
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11:51am Fri 28 Dec 12
derek james
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11:58am Fri 28 Dec 12
Linesman wrote:even if he loses he'll have an index linked public funded pension the likes of which most can only dream of, for his legal team i believe he's hiring those that got harry rednapp off, with the inadequacies of the cps i think we know the likely outcome
Maybe Chris Huhne will be using a horse for transport after his court case.
sarfhamton
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12:09pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Its a deep part of their culture and of course they are bad owners in every community.
Linesman
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1:40pm Fri 28 Dec 12
sarfhamton wrote:I agree with you. Horses are part of their currency, and they take care of them.
I don't think travelers treat their horses any worse than people that live in houses.
Its a deep part of their culture and of course they are bad owners in every community.
acid drop
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1:54pm Fri 28 Dec 12
derek james wrote:Very well put.
crocodile tears from a man who's happy for his elder constituents to die of hypothermia due to green taxes on heating bills
bazzeroz
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2:05pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Inform Al
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2:59pm Fri 28 Dec 12
bazzeroz wrote:When I was a nipper my favourite Pie and Mash shop was fined for selling steak'n kidney pie containing horse meat. The shop was opposite Paddington Nick and they were caught out when a visiting Belgian police inspector complemented them on the horse meat pie. Personally I liked their pies,so eating the things could be a good idea.
Do what the French do, eat 'em! Sorted.
Subject48
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3:26pm Fri 28 Dec 12
News Fanatic
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4:44pm Fri 28 Dec 12
The Wickham Man
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5:14pm Fri 28 Dec 12
sarfhamton wrote:That's why they leave them tethered and alone all day is it? Horses are herd animals. They like to roam and they don't like to be alone. Trying to explain to a traveller about a horse's needs would be like trying to explain it to the horse. They just don't "get" that like all animals horses require consideration and empathy. They regard horses as posessions to be bought or sold, not as living things, so I disagree with you. The "culture" thing is a problem, not an attribute.
I don't think travelers treat their horses any worse than people that live in houses.
Its a deep part of their culture and of course they are bad owners in every community.
bobbyboy
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10:39pm Fri 28 Dec 12
hulla baloo says...
7:12am Fri 28 Dec 12