World Horse Welfare rescued 20 horses and ponies, including racehorses, that were being illegally smuggled out of the UK for suspected fattening and slaughter in Europe. The animals were found in horrific conditions in a lorry at the Port of Dover, with many too sick and weak to travel. Eight surviving horses, including a pregnant mare and foals, are now in the care of the charity.

The horses appeared bewildered and shell-shocked from their ordeal, with some suffering from health issues such as strangles, pneumonia, skin conditions, and bacterial infections. Two Irish Thoroughbreds are recovering and expected to be rehomed, while seven horses in better health were claimed by their owners. The welfare of transported equines will not be fully protected without a digital identification and traceability system, according to WHW chief executive Roly Owers.

The discovery of the illegally smuggled horses comes one year after WHW helped rescue 26 horses crammed into a transporter at Dover. The Animal Welfare (Live Exports) Act 2024 prohibits the export of horses for slaughter, and an investigation into the transportation of the 20 horses from Ireland is ongoing. The government has stated that measures are in place to enforce this law robustly.