An animal charity is warning of an equine crisis in Kent after dozens of dead or dying horses were found dumped.

The RSPCA received more than 300 calls about horses in the county over the winter, with officers responding to almost 40 distressing incidents.

Heartbreaking scenes included horses being found in terrible conditions at the roadside, in woodland and under fly-tipped rubbish.

Warning: graphic images below

Of these, 13 were already dead, and 25 were collapsed and dying. Six were in such a poor state that nothing could be done to save them.

In February, call-outs included a dead horse dumped in Bull Hill, Horton Kirby, two dead horses in Beech Road, Kings Hill, a dead horse tied to a tree by the church in Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells and six dying horses in Dartford.

On February 16, a skewbald mare and her foal were found dumped in Wouldham Road, Rochester in an emaciated and weak state. The mare died a few days later.

In another disturbing case, a dead horse was found dumped underneath a pile of planks next to a petrol container in a field in Horton Kirby on January 2. It is thought the intention was to set the body on fire.

RSPCA Inspector Rosie Russon said: "The equine crisis in Kent has been horrendous over the past couple of months and doesn’t feel like it is slowing down.

"I have been called out again and again to horses who are either already dead - or they are so neglected and unwell it is just too late to save them.

"The issue is particularly noticeable between November and spring because of winter-related problems like the lack of grazing and redworm and cold weather pushing animals who are already ill over the edge.

"These issues should be easily treatable, but instead of being given the care they need, the horses are just being neglected and then dumped to die.

"Horses can be very expensive to keep and we believe some people decide to callously abandon their poorly horses instead of pay for veterinary treatment.

"We urge owners who are struggling to care for their horses are urged to contact the RSPCA or other horse welfare charities for advice and assistance rather than dump their animals in a dying state."

Inspector Russon added: "The incidents we know about are probably the tip of the iceberg, and there are probably an awful lot more cases of dead and dying horses which we aren’t told about - who are removed by the police or other agencies, or perhaps rescued by other charities.

"This equine crisis is heartbreaking for us all. We do all we can to rescue animals when we can but often by the time we are called about them it is too late and the horses are already in far too poorly a state for us to be able to help them."

The RSPCA urges anyone with information about people dumping and neglecting horses to call 0300 1234 999 in confidence.