CONVICTED (2024) | Joseph Lee Mansell, born 29 May 2001, of 33 Chestnut Road, Bloxwich, Walsall WS3 1BE- drove his pregnant mare to exhaustion at Appleby Horse Fair.
Mansell, a gypsy who works as a tree surgeon, was found guilty of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
In June 2023, at the annual horse event in Appleby, Mansell’s thoroughbred cross, known as Classic Lady, was found collapsed.
Field officers from World Horse Welfare, alongside RSPCA Inspectors and welfare officers from other organisations, responded to concerns for the mare.
Reports had come in that the skewbald had been witnessed falling down multiple times.
RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson said: “My colleagues and I were stationed by the River Eden at an area called The Sands when communication was received over our radios that Cumbria Police were requesting assistance with an overworked horse which had been witnessed falling down multiple times on a road called Battle Barrow.
“We responded to the call and started to make our way towards that area, and whilst walking up the hill towards the school several members of the public told us the horse had been going up and down the hill non-stop and had fallen over several times.”
The welfare team discovered the horse standing up, but very sweaty, breathing heavily and unsteady on her feet. She was suffering from fresh wounds from her fall and when offered water, she quickly drank.
After two specialist equine vets certified her as suffering, Cumbria Police took her into possession and placed her in the care of the RSPCA.
In their witness statement the vet described the horse when she examined her: “The horse was extremely sick at the time of being removed from the owner and required intravenous fluid therapy and medical care to return her to normal metabolic status.
“The horse was ataxic and very lethargic when she moved because she was so weak from the exhaustion.
“A responsible horse owner would have ensured this horse was provided with adequate rest. The day was extremely hot and this should have alerted the owner to the fact that water and rest were even more vital to this horse.
“The horse had a wound on her leg, and sustained further injuries from the harness rubbing on it, and sustained further injuries when she collapsed onto the road. The horse was pregnant at the time of this event.”
Fortunately, Lady survived the ordeal and thanks to the expert care of the team at World Horse Welfare’s Rescue and Rehoming Centre near Blackpool she is now ready to find a loving new home.
Adam Cummins, Farm Manager at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre: “When Lady first came into Penny Farm, it was clear just how exhausted she was.
“She was lame, very underweight and had horrific rubs and open wounds from her harness. Because she was nervous of people, it took a lot of time for her to relax and trust our grooms – as with many of the horses that come into our care, time and patience was key.
“With good nutrition, compassionate handling and being turned out in a settled herd, Lady grew in confidence and has a bright future ahead of her. She has recently been advertised on our rehoming website pages and is ready to find a loving new home.”
Sentencing | 12-week custodial suspended for 12 months; 12-month community order with rehabilitation activity requirement; costs of £500. 10-year ban on keeping equines but can appeal after five years (expires July 2034).