Owner signs over 21 horses in Downham Market

Equine charities joined forces to collect 21 horses from land in Downham earlier this week.

The owner has now signed over the horses after contacting the RSPCA to prevent future welfare issues.

The RSPCA co-ordinated the collection from land off Bennett Street on Thursday morning, which was also helped by the police.

World Horse Welfare, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Bransby Horses from Lincolnshire and the Horse Rescue Fund, in Beccles, were also involved in the operation.

A statement issued by the RPSCA says: “The RSPCA assisted in a multi-agency operation with local police, and four equine charities to remove horses from a location in Downham.

“This was carried out with the full co-operation of the owner to prevent future welfare issues.

“The horses are now being looked after across four charities.”

A stallion along with a number of foals were found within the herd, which are mainly black and bay cobs.

New homes may be sought in the future for some of these horses by the charities.

One of the people involved in the operation was field officer for World Horse Welfare, Jacko Jackson.

He said: “The whole thing was co-ordinated by the RSPCA and done in a way that the horses were not stressed and nothing was put to sleep.

“The way all the agencies worked together, it was a real pleasure.”