THE RSPCA is appealing for witnesses after a young horse was abandoned close to death in Privett, south of Alton, on Monday.

The pony, a dark bay and white cob, who was only two years old but had shoes on and had obviously been driven into the ground, later died of his injuries.

This act of callous disregard for a young animal’s life has traumatised those who found the pony, collapsed in a heap on private land near Fawley Farm (Equine) Feeds.

Business owner Andrea Povey ran to the horse’s aid after a walker found him collapsed on a nearby footpath.

Mrs Povey immediately called the police who, she said, were unable to attend, and the RSPCA, whose nearest officer was several hours away. She then called a vet, Eamon Smyth from Equivet Mobile Horse Veterinary Services in Guildford, who dropped everything and raced to the scene where he worked tirelessly to try to revive the young gelding, who was emaciated, dehydrated, injured and covered in sores, thought to be from badly-fitting harness.

According to Mrs Povey, little more than a foal and certainly not old enough, in her opinion, to be ridden or driven, the animal must have been “dumped” from the back of a vehicle, after the perpetrator pushed aside some hay bales, put across the mouth of the path to prevent vehicule access.

Despite having to take on responsibility for paying for veterinary treatment, she took the decision to call a vet because the animal was in such obvious distress.

“It was horrendous,”she said. “He (the pony) was so weak, he couldn’t hold his own head up. It breaks your heart. It makes me so angry that anyone could be so heartless.”

Named ‘Basil’ by those who were fighting to save his life, according to Mrs Povey, who paid tribute to the “amazing commitment” of the vet, despite every effort the young animal eventually fitted and the decision was made to end his struggle.

Despite being unable to get there in time, the RSPCA is on the case and has since agreed to pay the veterinary fees.

RSPCA inspector Nicola Denham confirmed: “The pony was found dehydrated and severely ill by members of the public on a public footpath near Fawley Farm Feeds. Staff from the farm rushed to his aid and called a vet who gave him a drip and some water.

“His head had to be held up as he was so lethargic, so that he didn’t drown in the water offered. Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, he became convulsive and the vet put him to sleep due to the horrendous suffering inflicted.

“Distraught members of the public and Fawley Farm Feeds did all they could for Basil. We know he is microchipped but had reportedly been sold a few times in his short years, with his last known address being in Southampton.

“He was in a collapsed state when found and whoever dumped him along the footpath would have struggled to even load him into a vehicle. He must have felt so unwell and the abuse and callousness of being dumped in such a horrific manner is inhumane. Thanks to those who helped him, he at least knew kindness in his final moments.”

The inspector continued: “We urge people to seriously think about the commitment involved when rehoming a horse, as this sadly happens far too often.

“He is thought to have been just two years old, too young to be ridden or driven as his bones would have still been developing, yet he had shoes on all four of his hooves which suggests, sadly, he may have been broken in already. He was found with a red head collar on and several leg injuries which appeared to have been treated with purple antiseptic spray.”

And she added: “Enquiries are being made and we are keen to hear from anyone who knows who did this and urge them to contact the RSPCA (confidentially) through our inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

The RSPCA is continuing to work with other equine welfare charities in response to the ongoing horse crisis, and trying to prevent further animals from suffering. The organisations are calling on the Government to take urgent action to address the ongoing horse crisis, to deal with the numbers of horses being illegally abandoned, and the lack of enforcement in the horse passport system.