Welfare of abandoned horses still assured at Blackpool centre during crisis

Penny Farm, one of four UK rescue centres run by World Horse Welfare, is unable to rehome animals at the moment due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

But more horses are coming in needing care - meaning the charity currently has a record number of animals at its centres.

The total figure of 406 is well above the usual level of 330 and includes 73 horses currently being cared for at Penny Farm on Preston New Road, of which around half are subject to prosecution cases.

However it did not stop staff there joining in to show their support for the NHS and all other carers during this week's Clap for our Carers.

A spokesperson said: "Morale and team spirit remains extremely high among the grooms and other staff at the farms, and they wanted to take the time show their appreciation of the carers as well."

Tony Tyler, a director of World Horse Welfare, added: "While the welfare of these horses is assured, providing the care they need is stretching the resources and efforts of the staff.

"As many of these animals are from large unhandled groups and so are unused to human contact, it makes handling them even more of a challenge.

"We had expected with the arrival of spring, we would be able to rehome a good bunch of them who were ready to leave us but, with the government restrictions, we can’t undertake home checks or invite applicants to meet our horses.

"So, we will continue to care for all of them, while finding space where we can to take in emergency cases.”

Zoe Clifford, visitor officer at Penny Farm, said: “Hoarding behaviour and irresponsible breeders and dealers have always been around, but the numbers of animals involved are definitely getting larger.

"When I first started at World Horse Welfare a large case would be three to four horses, now some of these cases are coming in with 30 to 40 animals at one time.”

World Horse Welfare has worked with Blackpool Council in the past in relation to the welfare of animals including the resort's landau horses.

The charity is appealing to people to continue to apply online to rehome horses once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, by going to www.rehoming.worldhorsewelfare.org