Warning: This video contains upsetting images.


In January 2008 more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys were removed from horrific conditions at Spindle Farm near Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

The horses were lovingly cared for and rehabilitated by the RSPCA, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare and The Horse Trust.
 

RSPCA staff feeding one of the rehabilitated Amersham horses © Andrew Forsyth / RSPCA Photolibrary

In addition to nursing them back to health, dedicated RSPCA staff spent two-and-a-half years assessing and handling the horses and ponies so they could be found new homes when the time was right.

And in June 2010, we launched our Amersham horses rehoming appeal and began the search for permanent, special new owners.


Phenomenal public support 

Some of the rehabilitated Amersham horses with RSPCA staff © Andrew Forsyth / RSPCA Photolibrary

Nearly 1,700 people applied to adopt one of the 37 Amersham horses in our care.

In fact our rehoming appeal was so successful, that we also found new homes for a further 80 rescued horses and ponies.

And many generous people also gave much-needed donations towards the animals' care.

This has been one of our biggest operations ever and cost the RSPCA £2.3 million in caring for the animals, veterinary treatment and legal fees.

We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who supported our appeal and who followed this cruelty case from beginning to end. 


Settling into their new homes

We caught up with some of the Amersham horses and their special new owners to see how they settled into their new homes.

Meet some of the horses and ponies below.