Horses harmed in barbaric bush racing
This practise puts the horses through an enormous amount of abuse and trauma and they are often ridden until they collapse.
Staff at the Lower South Coast SPCA have in the last two weeks dealt with two separate cases of neglected horses suspected to be used in bush racing.
Bush racing, which is on the rise in South Africa, forces horses to run for gambling purposes.
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This practise puts the horses through an enormous amount of abuse and trauma and they are often ridden until they collapse.
Wire is used in place of bits and bridles, unfitted saddles cause massive saddle sores and the owners show no mercy when a horse is injured.
These injuries leave the horses struggling to eat.
A tip-off last Friday led Inspectors Werner Taljaard and Jacob Mduna to investigate reports of badly neglected horses in Zikhuba Location near the Wild Coast.
Two of the four horses found had to be euthanised due to the extent of their injuries.
“One of the horses had a hoof which was badly injured and almost detached form the foreleg.
“Its front leg was swollen with a massive infection, with pus pouring from it. The animal was unable to walk,” said Inspector Taljaard.
SPCA chairman, Scott Kvalsig together with field officer Harold Krause and Inspector Mduna returned to the scene on Saturday morning.
They found two more horses with horrific saddle sores and other injuries.
These animals were taken to the SPCA premises in Uvongo for veterinary treatment.
This mammoth task took the team the entire day.
“We saw only desperation in these horses’s eyes. They just lay on the ground like they had given up on living,” said Mr Kvalsvig.
He thanked Dr Leon Bruggeman for treating the animals, and farmer Tom Parry for helping with the rescue.
Mr Kvalsvig added that this abuse would be thoroughly investigated.
This case comes after a neglected and starving stallion was rescued by the SPCA in Gcilima last month.
Inspector Taljaard was instrumental in saving the stallion, now named Simba, also suspected to be used in bush racing.
Simba is recovering well at the society’s premises.
Mr Kvalsvig urged the public to report all cases of animal abuse to the SPCA.
Donations of food are also desperately needed.
Call the SPCA team at 039 312 0962, or the emergency number, 083 222 6355.
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