12 April 2017

Horses of West Meadows and Paper Mill Lane

Redwings Horse Sanctuary are currently in the process of cataloguing horses on the Paper Mill Lane and West Meadows sites in Ipswich.

Following the RSPCA’s visits last week, a Redwings welfare veterinary surgeon and field officer, together with two police officers, visited the Paper Mill Lane site Monday 10^th April to identify and health check the horses.

A number of horses were identified as presenting with concerns; several were already under veterinary care and the owner has been given advice as to how to make improvements for the remainder.

Long-term plans for the housing and management of the horses remain in discussion between the landowner, the horses’ owner and the local authorities to ensure the future welfare of the animals.

Together with the RSPCA, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police, we will continue to monitor the sites and will return shortly to continue cataloguing the horses. By identifying all the horses on both sites, we can ensure that any new welfare concerns are responded to immediately and that any repeat or third-hand reports can be easily verified. The welfare of the horses remains our priority and we take all reports very seriously.

In response to recent enquiries about horses being removed from the sites, horses have been moved to another area of West Meadows while the site is tidied, and horses have been moved to another area on Paper Mill Lane to rest the land. Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the RSPCA have not removed any more horses from the site other than those 10 seized in January, who belonged to a different owner to those referenced above.

Anyone with first-hand information about new welfare concerns for these horses or concerns for any equine can call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or Redwings Horse Sanctuary on 01508 481008.

In an emergency situation, please call the RSPCA 24-hour line immediately and without delay. Welfare reports cannot be taken via social media.