Horses being smuggled from UK are rescued
A year after Together for Animals member World Horse Welfare rescued 26 horses being fraudulently transported out of the UK, they have once again stepped in to help horses caught in the cruel and illegal trade of horse smuggling.
Like the ‘Dover 26’, the team suspect some of the horses were being smuggled for fattening and slaughter despite the ban on live exports in May 2024. Those on board the lorry included Irish Thoroughbreds, Connemaras and leisure ponies – alongside animals that were being moved legitimately.
The latest group, sadly known as the ‘Trafficked 20’, included horses that were too sick and weak to travel and yet had been crammed into an unsuitable lorry where one foal was on the floor and unable to get back on its feet. Dover port officials were alerted to the transporter and upon inspection discovered the ‘downed’ foal, resulting in the lorry being redirected to a holding yard where the true horror of the ordeal was uncovered.
Following health and welfare assessments five of the Irish Thoroughbreds sadly had to be euthanised, while seven of the 20 horses, which were in better health, were claimed by their owners.
The remaining eight were abandoned – including a pregnant mare and terrified foals. They were signed over to World Horse Welfare by the authorities and following a period of quarantine, were taken to their Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk.
The group included a little cob called Kevin who was in a miserable state. He was underweight with overgrown feet and was suffering from a severe skin condition covering almost half of his body – he had bitten himself raw from the relentless itching, causing painful, open sores.
Kevin was shut down and nervous of everyone, but the team has been patiently working with him and treating his skin while showing him that he can trust them and they’re here to help. After careful clipping, bathing, and medications we’re pleased to say his skin is showing improvements, but his recovery isn’t just physical. He needs time, patience, and kindness, as all the horses do.
While the horses recover, in the background the research team is digging a little bit deeper into where these horses have come from and why, through no fault of their own, they have found themselves victims of this horrific trade.