Warning: Graphic images below

A couple made a horrifying discovery while out for a walk yesterday.

The husband and wife from Barming, who did not wish to be identified, had taken some carrots to a number of horses in a field off Farleigh Hill, Tovil.

They had previously become concerned about the welfare of the horses when they had discovered some looked very malnourished.

They reported this to the RSPCA, and decided to take them some carrots to make sure they were fed.

It was then that they discovered the corpse of one of the horses.

The husband said: "We were worried about the state some of them were in, so we reported them to the RSPCA, but when we went back today we found one of them dead.

"It looks like it's had its ear cut off, I don't know if there was an ID tag or something in it.

"There are about seven other horses in the field and they were all around it looking distressed."

The RSPCA confirmed that it was looking to contact the owner of these animals, after it had to put the horse down due to malnourishment.

A number of other horses from the field have been seized by police and placed into the care of the animal protection organisation.

Unfortunately it is the owner, not the RSPCA, who will now have to remove the horse's body.

If an animal is found on public land, it is up to the local authority to remove the body, but if it is on private land, it is up to the owner.

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the owner of the horses.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "We were contacted about a black and white pony that had collapsed in a field in Tovil on Wednesday, April 12.

"An RSPCA inspector and a vet attended as a matter of urgency but sadly when they arrived they found the horse was extremely emaciated and weak.

"The pony was so poorly the vet decided the kindest option was to put the horse to sleep to end its suffering.

"Eight further horses were seized by the police and placed into the RSPCA’s care. The remaining horses have been examined by a specialist equine vet and inspectors will continue to monitor the welfare of the remaining horses.

"We would urge anyone with information about where these horses have come from or who owns them to contact us on our Inspector Appeal Line 0300 123 8018 as soon as possible.

"This is a heartbreaking situation and we would like to thank the person that found the pony and contacted us for help.

"The RSPCA has received a spate of calls about distressing incidents involving abandoned horses across Kent. We currently have around 200 horses in private boarding where we have rescued them over the last six to 12 months."