Horses Rescued from Squalid Conditions in Welsh Barn

Six horses have been saved from dire conditions in Merthyr Tydfil, where they were discovered living without basic necessities in a large barn. The RSPCA intervened after finding the animals standing in weeks of accumulated waste, with no bedding, food, or clean water.

Lee Vivian Nicholas has pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court. The charges involved two stallions, Bertie and Harry, who suffered from neglected hoof care, while Diva and Elvis were found severely underweight.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper described the shocking scene: “All six horses were standing in weeks worth of faeces and urine, there was no bedding, no food and their water was contaminated. Two of the horses were very underweight, but they were all extremely hungry, some even sifting through their own faeces and urine, looking for food.”

Nicholas received a five-year ban on keeping equines, a 12-month community order with 150 hours unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £1,400 in costs plus a £114 victim surcharge.

The good news is that after receiving proper care from the RSPCA, all six horses – including Bertie, Harry, Diva, Elvis, Doris, and Sally – are now ready for their forever homes. 🌟