A West Midlands man has been disqualified from owning or keeping horses after he was found guilty of overworking his horse to exhaustion at last year's Appleby Horse Fair.

Joseph Mansell, pleaded not guilty at North Cumbria Magistrates Court and after a trial was found guilty on 15 July, 2024 of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in a case brought by the RSPCA.

The court heard that Mansell had attended the annual horse event in Appleby, Cumbria last June, with his trotter mare known as Classic Lady. 

At this year's event, two horses died after being overworked, the RSPCA said. 

RSPCA inspectors who attend the event every year were made aware on June 10 of concerns for the welfare of Classic Lady, who was reported to have collapsed at the event. 

RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson said in his witness statement: "[My colleagues and I] were stationed by the River Eden at an area called The Sands when communication was received over our radios that Cumbria Police were requesting assistance with an overworked horse which had been witnessed falling multiple times on a road called Battle Barrow. 

"We responded to the call and started to make our way towards that area, and whilst walking up the hill towards the school several members of the public told us the horse had been going up and down the hill non-stop and had fallen over several times."

The welfare team discovered the horse, known as Classic Lady, standing up but very sweaty and breathing heavily, and unsteady on her feet. She was suffering from fresh wounds to her skin from the fall, some of which were still bleeding, and when members of the public offered her water, she quickly drank.

RSPCA Inspector Larsson contacted the on-site vets to examine the horse as soon as possible. Two specialist equine vets decided that Classic Lady was suffering, and Cumbria Police took her into possession, placing her in the care of the RSPCA.

The vet told the court: "The horse was extremely sick at the time of being removed from the owner and required intravenous fluid therapy and medical care to return her to normal metabolic status. 

"The horse was ataxic and very lethargic when she moved because she was so weak from the exhaustion.

"A responsible horse owner would have ensured this horse was provided with adequate rest.

"The day was extremely hot and this should have alerted the owner to the fact that water and rest were even more vital to this horse. 

"The horse had a wound on her leg, and sustained further injuries from the harness rubbing on it, and sustained further injuries when she collapsed onto the road. The horse was pregnant at the time of this event."

Lee Mansell was found guilty following a trial, and disqualified from owning or keeping horses for ten years, which he cannot appeal for five years. 

Magistrates sentenced him to 12 weeks of custody, which will be suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete a 12-month community order including attending five rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay costs of £500.

RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben, who carried out the investigation, said after sentencing: "This poor horse was overworked in the heat until she collapsed, suffering needlessly.

"We, along with other equine welfare organisations and Cumbria Police, attend Appleby Horse Fair every year and see lots of wonderful horses who are their owner's pride and joy, but sadly, some treat their horses poorly and in this case, completely disregard their welfare.

"My colleagues and I are delighted that Classic Lady is thriving under the care of World Horse Welfare and although she sadly lost her foal, she has bounced back to full health."

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Adam Cummins, Farm Manager at World Horse Welfare's Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where Classic Lady is currently living, said:  "When Lady first came into Penny Farm, she was nervous about people, it took a lot of time for her to relax and trust our grooms - as with many of the horses that come into our care, time and patience was key. 

"With good nutrition, compassionate handling and being turned out in a settled herd, Lady grew in confidence and has a bright future ahead of her. She has recently been advertised on our rehoming website pages and is ready to find a loving new home."

In mitigation, the court heard that Mansell had no prior convictions.