Fundraising campaign launched after charity takes eight horses into care

The animals, which are all aged under two, are in poor health and require large vet bills.

The owner contacted Wings and Paws Rescue about rehoming them after coming into financial difficulty.

Claire Vowles says the Oxley-based charity, which she runs, will need about £3,000 to nurse them back to full health. The plan will then be to rehome the horses.

She said: "We were contacted by the landowner to say three horses were underweight and suffering.

"We went out to them and contacted the owner of the horses.

"She admitted she can't afford to keep them and that she has tried her best and her best wasn't really good enough.

"Some of them were hungry, no they had no water and no hay. We offered to take them off her.

"The only way we could do that was by her signing them over, which she has done.

"She understands that they can't be kept in the conditions that they were in. In her defence, at least she has done something right."

Treatment

The horses are being kept on a muddy field somewhere on the Black Country border.

There are 11 horses on site who have little shelter and no access to food, hay or water.

Ms Vowles said the area is less than an acre in size and too small to house all of them.

The charity, which has been going for three years, has paid for a vet to go and treat the horses. The first day's treatment has cost around £1,000.

One of the horses, called Hercules, has an undescended testicle, and will need to be taken to Liverpool for an operation, which will cost around £2,500.

From now on, they will be given daily care, fed and watered, until they are rehomed.

Work is taking place for the charity to take the final three horses into its care.

Anyone wishing to donate to the vet bills or rehome the horses is asked to visit the charity's Facebook page.

Ms Vowles is taking enquiries. Anybody who can help transport the horses is also asked to get in touch.

Visit the Facebook page or email wingsandpawsrescue@gmail.com.