Two ponies found suffering with Strangles have
been assured a safe future at Redwings after their seizure from the
Kirby Stephen horse sale in 2012.
William Railton has now been successfully prosecuted by
the RSPCA under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) England Order 2006
for transporting the two Shetland ponies when they were unfit for
travel to Kirby Stephen horse market on 8th June 2012. Mr Railton
pleaded guilty on the 31st January 2013 at Carlisle Magistrates Court
and was ordered to pay £950 in fines and costs.
Kiwi (4) and Plum (22) were both suffering with a severe
outbreak of the highly infectious disease Strangles at the time of
their seizure. Following treatment to stabilise their condition the two
ponies were brought to Redwings Reception Centre in Norfolk, to our
specialist quarantine facility.
Poor Kiwi was visibly ill when she was found at the sale
Kiwi had two large Strangles abscesses that caused some
of the most severe damage to her jaw that our vets have ever seen in a
Strangles case. Thankfully her youth helped her respond to the
intensive veterinary and nursing care. Elderly pony Plum was extremely
underweight with an extensive skin condition that left her weakened and
vulnerable to her Strangles infection, making her recovery a long and
slow one. Both ponies have now returned to full health and following
this verdict, have now been signed over into our permanent ownership and
care. Seven further ponies all found being transported on the same
lorry were given a home at Bransby in Lincolnshire.
Kiwi now!
Redwings Senior Welfare Coordinator, Rachel Angell,
said, “I have never seen Strangles cause so much suffering. Kiwi and
Plum were incredibly ill when they arrived and they should simply never
have been taken to the market – it was a totally irresponsible and
cruel thing to do. As well as being highly contagious, Strangles can be
an extremely nasty disease for any horse or pony to go through.
Prevention really is so much better than cure. We would like to thank
our wonderful staff for all their hard work, the amazing team at the
RSPCA for bringing the prosecution, to the Blue Cross for their help
with the transport of these ponies to the charities, and to Bransby for
offering homes to the remaining ponies.”
RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall said: “The poor
condition of these ponies was clear for anyone to see, never mind
someone with equine experience. The photographs say it all. Both had
obvious signs of the infection, including dreadful nasal discharge no
one could have missed. People must take the welfare of the animals in
their care seriously.”
Redwings have just released a Strangles information pack
entitled ‘Strangles: Speak Out’ to encourage horse owners and yard
managers to talk openly about this disease, offering practical advice
on setting up a quarantine area and how to introduce a new arrival on to
the yard safely. For your free copy, contact Redwings welfare team on 01508
481008 or email [email protected].
More on Strangles Strangles, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Streptococcus Equi Infection
Minimising the Risk of Equine Infectious Diseases using Biosecurity at the Stable Yard
Increase in Strangles cases
