A RISE in the horse population in Britain has created “unprecedented” health and welfare issues, prompting fears that animal charities in Scotland could soon be overwhelmed with cases.
A report by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) warns growing numbers of animals are battling obesity and that Scottish animal charities could soon face the same problems as their counterparts in England, where many are struggling to cope with unwanted and unhealthy animals.
The report, drawn up in collaboration with the British Horse Society (BHS), calls for tighter regulation, including a national register of horse owners, to improve standards and traceability. The UK is one of only three European Union member states not to have a central equine database. It also highlights that, since 2004, new horse passport