The RSPCA is launching a rehoming drive amid a surge in horse-related incidents during the Covid-19 crisis.

The charity revealed it dealt with 253 incidents involving horses in Kent from March 23 to September 8.

Nationally the number of horses in its care has tripled since the last recession in 2009, however with the economy getting worse there are fears this number could soar.

In the six months since lockdown began in March, the RSPCA dealt with 4,479 incidents involving horses.

Last year the charity rehomed 242 horses nationwide, but almost 760 remain in the charity’s care and new homes are desperately needed.

The RSPCA is expecting more horses to be abandoned or neglected as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the deepening recession and is urging people who are looking to take on a horse to think about adopting one from the charity.

To aid this effort, a month-long campaign is being organised called 'Adoptober'.

The issue is all the more pressing after new legislation was introduced, requiring all horses to be microchipped from October 1.

However the RSPCA feels the move is not enough alone to tackle irresponsible breeders and owners at the heart of the equine crisis, which has now raged for eight years.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA said: "When it came in for dogs, the number of strays reduced by 20% in four years, but unfortunately we just don’t think that’s going to happen for horses.

"Without rigorous enforcement and tough financial penalties, there is little to stop irresponsible horse owners continuing to breed and dump their animals.

“Local authorities, who are in charge of enforcement of equine identification regulations, are already operating with extremely limited resources and are facing the huge challenges of Covid, the recession and Brexit.

“The RSPCA and other equine welfare organisations have been struggling to pick up the pieces of the horse crisis since the last recession and as we enter what could be the biggest financial downturn of a generation, the sector is already bursting at the seams and facing unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic.”

He added: "Equine charities fear that autumn will create the perfect storm as grazing decreases, the end of furlough and the deepening recession will see more owners struggling with costs of care leading to neglect and abandonment, yet people have been continuing to breed horses despite Covid.

“Alongside this, equine rescues, already reporting a sharp drop in funds, may start to go under as the financial situation bites, which will increase the burden on the RSPCA.

"We are calling on the Government to step in with financial support as they have for other charities affected by the pandemic and recognise that the vital services provided by the animal welfare sector are under huge strain.”

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