Flooding endangers equestrian life

Home -> News -> Equestrian victims in the british summertime floods

With the recent spate of flooding to hit the UK, many have forgotten the knock on effect this has had within the equestrian community.

One case in particular, at a yard in Gloucestershire on Friday 20 July, saw seven horses being stuck in their stables as the flood water crept in.

One of the horse’s owners stated: “The water was about three feet deep on the road, but it rose to about 7ft at the yard half a mile away. When we got there the horses in the stables were submerged up to their necks. They were pretty panicky.”

Subsequently, all horses were rescued from their yard in Tewkesbury in the only way possible – by swimming half a mile down the road to safety. And apart from being very cold and the odd superficial injuries from jumping hedges in the water, all horses seemed to have made a full recovery.

The cost of the flooding to the equestrian community is incalculable at the present. But with tack rooms full of bridles, rugs, saddles, boots and every conceivable piece of country clothing and horse tack, it is envisaged the cost as well as the irreparable damage and time getting replacements will prove to be an overwhelming prospect.

The dreadful weather system has forced the RSPCA to deploy around a third of its field staff and in excess of 16 lifeboats in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Worcestershire, with about 1,500 animals being rescued so far.

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