Bransby Horses rescue pony dumped on landfill site

Welfare Manager, Rachel Jenkinson, said: “The staff on the site had become very fond of him as he entertained himself by following them around and giving them the odd nip.

“Despite the friendship, he was rubbing up against and damaging their site machinery and it was a dangerous environment for him which can quickly become a welfare concern.”

The welfare team from Bransby Horses were able to advise the site owners that an Abandonment Notice should be placed at the location. The notice forms part of the legal process under the Control of Horses Act 2015 (England) which should be followed when a horse is believed to be abandoned.

The team also helped with attempts to trace the pony’s owner, but all efforts were fruitless.

Bransby Horses’ Field Officer was able to get close enough to scan the pony for a microchip – a legal requirement in all horses and ponies.

None was found, so he was removed for safety reasons and temporarily boarded with Bransby Horses until the Abandonment Notice ran its course – which is four working days.

Rachel said: “We named him ‘Stig’ from the children’s book ‘Stig of the Dump’. He was a bit dishevelled but otherwise there were no immediate health concerns and he was very friendly.

“The team managed to put a head collar on and walk him back to the trailer but, being a young colt (uncastrated male horse), Stig was very playful and was displaying typical youngster behaviour by nipping the team and wanting to play.”

With multiple bruises on their arms and a long walk ahead, the team decided to give him a lead rope to carry which kept him entertained until he reached the trailer. Stig seemed to be very proud of his new toy and enjoyed the attention from his new-found friends.

What the law says about horse ownership 

Since 2020 it has been a legal requirement for all equine owners to make sure their horses are microchipped and the details of ownership are up to date.

Microchips are important as they allow owners to be traced through the Central Equine Database- check www.equineregister.co.uk.

If you have a horse make sure your details are up to date with the Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) and the microchip is properly registered with them. This will help lost or stolen horses to be reunited with their owners.

An Abandonment Notice runs for four working days and unfortunately, Stig’s expired without anyone coming forward. At the end of the notice, the ownership of the animal is legally transferred to the landowner who can then decide what to do with the equine, which can include selling or rehoming them.

If a horse is suspected of being abandoned, the landowner is responsible for providing that animal with adequate food, water, shelter and veterinary care while an owner is sought.

Bransby Horses and other animal welfare charities are always happy to offer advice and guidance if needed.