Man banned from horses after six put down in Wrexham

A man from Wrexham has been banned from keeping horses for 10 years after six equines found in “dreadful” conditions had to be put to sleep.

Edward Caulfield, 44, of Bryn Place, Llay, received a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to six offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court on 21 October.

The RSPCA stated: “Six equines were found in such poor health at Yr Ackery Farm at Dark Lane, Rossett, near Wrexham, that they were all later put to sleep to end their suffering.”

When World Horse Welfare officers visited the farm on 4 December 2024, they found horses being neglected in filthy barns. Several were underweight and suffering with dental issues, overgrown hooves, skin conditions, and lameness. One foal had respiratory problems.

The visit followed an earlier check on 4 November, but conditions had deteriorated significantly over the month. A bay mare and her foal were of particular concern.

World Horse Welfare officer Rachel Andrews said: “I was shocked as the mare had little to no fat or muscle cover across her body. Her spine, ribs and pelvis were protruding and her foal’s condition had deteriorated. The area in which they were being kept was very dirty, and the ground was a mixture of mud and faeces.”

RSPCA officers, WHW staff and police returned on 5 December to seize the bay mare and foal, along with four other horses. The bay mare, suffering from a parasite infection, later collapsed and was put to sleep. Her foal was struggling to breathe due to a neck swelling that had narrowed the trachea and was put to sleep a week later.

The remaining four horses were all suffering from various conditions including lameness, dental and eye problems, parasite infections and overgrown hooves. A vet concluded that the kindest course of action was to put all four to sleep to end their suffering.

The vet found that Caulfield had failed to provide proper veterinary and farrier care, parasite treatment, dental care, an adequate diet and a suitable environment for all six equines.

In mitigation, the court heard that Caulfield, described as a horse trader, had been experiencing personal problems as his wife and father had been ill.

Caulfield was also ordered to complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, undertake 230 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £2,122.68, plus a £154 victim surcharge.

RSPCA Inspector Hogben, who investigated, said: “These horses were found in dreadful conditions with various health problems, but their owner failed to take heed of the advice given to seek out vet treatment and their conditions deteriorated further.”

World Horse Welfare Director Malcolm Morley said: “We’d urge anyone considering selling a horse to think very carefully about where they may end up. We see all too many cases where formerly-ridden horses have ended up in situations where their welfare has suffered.”