Amersham Farm Rescue - The UKs Worst Horse Neglect Case

This blog contains images and content that is very distressing in nature and talks about animal neglect as well as links to some videos and photographs taken at the time of the event. Because the nature of this is so distressing I will be linking to a lot of things for you to get a fuller story than I can type out for you. Reader discretion is advised

Back in January of 2008 in Amersham police entered the now infamous Spindles Farm to discover truly horrifying scenes and begin work on carrying out the biggest rescue scheme that the UK had ever seen. RSPCA inspectors were called to investigate the scene and what was found was truly shocking to everyone that became a part of the case. More than 125 Horses, Ponies, and Donkeys were discovered at the property in varying stages of neglect with an unfortunate discovery of a further 32 deceased equines also found within the remaining horses that were still alive. This case was dubbed as 'The worst case ever experienced by the RSPCA' by a judge when the case went to trial.

(Figures on rescued animals vary depending on which source you read so allow some discrepancy in numbers as it was such a large rescue)

The rescue of these equines took 8 days to complete and the work of multiple charities but the main 3 charities; The RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Unfortunately due to the state of the equines that were found out of the 125 equines that were discovered only 115 could be removed from the property, but unfortunately the remaining had to be euthanized on-site due to how poor their condition was upon discovery.

Two and a Half years after the rescue and a very lengthy court battle 63 of the horses, ponies, and donkeys were signed over to Redwings Horse Sanctuary 

Today many of these rescued horses are still alive and in sanctuary care. At Redwings visitors sanctuaries you can visit Tinkerbell a shetland pony born to a mother rescued from the horrors, Zippy a cheeky horse who was rescued as a youngster as well as Esther, Timothy, and Cain 3 of the lovely donkeys that were saved as well as many others who have been cared for by redwings and saved from the life they once had.

Spindle Farm owner Jamie Gray and his family were all prosecuted, fined, and banned from owning, trading, and transporting equines. Gray received a lifetime ban and a prison sentence of six months plus an additional two months after he absconded from court while his family only received a ban of 10 years of keeping, transporting, or trading equines of any sort. 

8 months is not nearly enough time for what he put all those poor animals through. I personally feel that this man should be in prison still today and his family should still be banned from ever going anywhere near any equine for the rest of their lives.

"After seeing the conditions in the fields, it wasn't until I went into the yard that the enormity of it hit me. There were dead horses on the ground in front of me and to the right. I looked across there was a dead horse in the stalls. It was like walking into another world. There were none of the normal noises I associate with a stable yard - horses moving about, eating, drinking, calling out to one another, or the gentle noises that horses make when approached, expecting to be fed or cared for. They were totally silent. Even the horses that appeared in better bodily condition seemed to be depressed, almost as if they had lost their dignity."

        — Nick White, World Horse Welfare

If you can handle seeing some unsettling images here are some videos on the case from people who were on the scene when it happened:

• World Horse Welfare - Eye Witness Account
• Redwings - Amersham 10 Years On
• RSPCA - Amersham Horses Rescue

It was only due to the Animal Welfare Act of  2006 that these animals were able to be rescued as this act clearly detailed how a horse should be cared for and treated these equines at Spindles Farm were not prompting the action of horse charities across the UK to step in and help. Before the Animal Welfare Act, animal welfare law was largely reactive and action could only be taken once an animal had suffered unnecessarily. The 2006 Act has introduced an important and new concept for pet owners and those responsible for domestic animals, e.g. breeders, those who have working animals or farm animals in England and Wales. The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 states  'Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on people to ensure they take reasonable steps in all the circumstances to meet the welfare needs of their animals to the extent required by good practice.' this can include but is not limited to:

• need for a suitable environment
• need for a suitable diet
• need to be able to exhibit normal behavior patterns
• need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
• need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.

This list is not strictly limited to horses but stands for every animal to be protected by the act.

An up-to-date version of the act about horses can be viewed by clicking here

On a positive side to the story, many of the horses have gone on to do amazing things considering their ordeal. One of my favorites is of one of the rescued boys called Duke. Back in 2013 he went on to win a dressage completion and he even took part in some jumping and did very well doing that too, he unfortunately can't be rehomed due to a recurring illness but he is happy at his home at The Horse Trust.

(The above picture is of Duke at his first competition back in 2013)

If this has touched you and you want to know how you can continue to help animals live safely and aid in the rescue of more horses that could end up being treated this way then if you can please donate to a horse charity that you know or one of the ones that I have mentioned in this blog here every tiny bit helps in the rescue and care of these beautiful creatures who deserve no harm done to them.

Writing this and reliving the stories of all the animals affected almost broke me as I remember when the rescue had taken place, I was 8 at the time and deeply in my 'horse girl' phase, and when I heard that someone had done something like this to this many animals it made me deeply upset and even now 16 years after the fact it still makes me so angry how little the man responsible had to do for making all these animals suffer.

Lucy, Animal Advocate (UK)