THEY make sickening reading – news of a string of recent violent attacks on horses, leaving them mutilated and in at least once case, so badly injured it had to be destroyed, have left owners terrified for their animals’ safety.
The spate of attacks stretch from England, through Wales and northwards to Aberdeen, with cases ranging from placid ponies being slashed in the legs or hind quarters to one sickening case in which the animal’s genitals were ripped and blood was drain
ed away.
Some of the horses have been left traumatised, others, it’s feared, may never be capable of breeding again.
While police probe the attacks, including six in the Bonnybridge area of Stirlingshire within the space of a few days, concerns have grown that they may be the bizarre work of occultists, striking in the weeks leading towards the summer solstice, draining blood from horses to use in warped rituals.
The National Equine Welfare Council has pointed to research which shows a link between attacks on horses and dates in the pagan calendar.
And similar attacks in 2002 led the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to call in a witchcraft expert to examine the possibility that horse blood was being used in ancient satanic fertility rites.
Certainly, records of horse mutilations stretch back to the dark ages, and the problem appears to be on the increase. Animal welfare groups estimate that the number of attacks can range from 18 to several hundred a year across Britain, while this year there have been 30 in Scotland alone.
Thankfully, horses in the Lothians have escaped the recent attacks. Instead, warn animal welfare experts, they may be facing a different kind of threat – from rustlers.
The British Horse Society (BHS) has issued a warning to horse owners to be vigilant and take precautions to ensure the safety of their animals and equipment following a spate of stolen horse reports.
“Internet forums are buzzing with speculation and text messages reporting incidents have been circulating widely,” says Lee Hackett, senior executive of the BHS. “These incidents usually involve photographs being taken of horses in fields with unknown individuals showing a high level of interest in particular animals.
While the organisation warns that some reports may be simply a case of false rumours, it still urges owners to be vigilant and take extra steps to protect their pets such as ensuring their fields and property are secured.
The organisation has launched Horsewatch, a nationwide scheme similar to Community Watch which records thefts and suspicious behaviour. It works alongside the Stolen Horse Register, a central repository of all horse, ponies and donkeys that have gone missing and are presumed stolen in the United Kingdom.
Another precaution is to freeze-mark and microchip animals. “Both are excellent deterrents to horse theft although, as micro-chips are not externally visible, signs should be displayed to advertise that horses are microchipped,” adds Mr Hackett.
The BHS also recommends owners seek out accredited livery stables for their horses which comply with health and safety standards.
Satanic horse attackers and rustlers aside, there are many other key areas of concern for horse owners to be aware of. And one of the biggest threats to your pony’s wellbeing during summer months might not be a devil worshipper, but instead a bout of horse “flu”. Helene Mauchlen from The British Horse Society says: “Equine flu is being diagnosed in Scotland at the moment – with the latest outbreak being near Edinburgh.
“Influenza vaccination does offer effective protection and, with horses mixing regularly at the peak of our competition circuit, it is vital that owners take precautions to prevent equine flu from spreading.”
Professor Bruce McGorum, from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science, advises owners keep their horse’s vaccinations up to date, and to arrange vaccination of any untreated horses.
“Influenza can spread rapidly through a horse population, causing lethargy, fever, nasal discharge and coughing,” he says.
“The Animal Health Trust has notified us of a recent increase in the number of cases of equine influenza in Scotland predominantly, but not exclusively, involving unvaccinated animals.
“Influenza vaccination is recommended not only because it prevents development of the clinical disease or reduces the severity and duration of flu symptoms, but also because it reduces the spread of infection through the horse population.’’
Checking vaccinations, however, is just one element of responsibility if you have opted for a horse as a pet.
“Looking after horses is expensive and requires a lot of effort,” warns Paul Anderson, chief inspector with animal welfare charity, Scottish SPCA.
“They aren’t like cars that you can just put in the garage and forget about. Horses need attention.
“There are many problems that can affect horses, not all of them instantly obvious.”
For more information visit
www.stolenhorseregister.com or the British Horse Society at www.bhs.org.uk
The full article contains 824 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
