Horse ‘worked to death’ at Appleby fair after collapsing ‘covered in sores’ as RSPCA launch urgent appeal

A HORSE has been worked to death at Appleby Fair in an act of "inexcusable cruelty".

The three-year-old stallion was "covered in sores" when it collapsed at the event in Cumbria on Wednesday.

The poor helpless animal was said to have been suffering from an extremely high temperature before it dropped dead around 3pm.

It is not yet clear if the person responsible for the foal's killing was part of the travelling community.

The RSPCA has since released CCTV images of a person they would like to identify.

Chief Inspector Rob Melloy said the skewbald trotter "undoubtedly suffered before he died".

He said: “The horse’s temperature was very high, and he was covered in rubs. He had been worked until he dropped. 

“This was an inexcusable act of cruelty. This person has let themselves, their family and of course this poor horse down, who undoubtedly suffered before he died. 

“We want to hear from anyone who knows who is responsible and are releasing CCTV images of a man we're keen to identify in connection with the incident, so that we can ensure this doesn’t happen again."

We do not yet know the identity of the person responsible and if it was a Gypsy, we will condemn them even more strongly and loudly

Traveller community leaders Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd

Traveller community leaders Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd have been left "sickened and saddened" by the death.

The two have "condemned it in the strongest possible terms" as they urged anyone with information to come forward for the "future of the fair".

Welch and Lloyd said those in the community are supporting the RSPCA following the tragedy.

They added: "We are fully supportive of the efforts of the RSPCA and their partner charities to improve the standards of horse welfare, and this is a body blow to all our efforts.

"Appleby is one of the greatest celebrations of the horse in Europe and this tragic event is a stain on the fair that will be hard to wash out.

"The standard of horsemanship among Gypsy people is usually high and they are often among the first to report abuse at the fair when they see it.

"We do not yet know the identity of the person responsible and if it was a Gypsy, we will condemn them even more strongly and loudly, but please do not leap to any conclusions until we know the facts."

The market town has shut down to avoid around 10,000 travellers who flock there to buy and sell steeds.

More than 1,000 caravans and 3,000 horse-drawn vehicles pulled up to the event, which dates back to the 1770s.

The annual meet-up sees animals that are looking to be traded, tethered to railings outside pubs and shops on the market town's main street.

This year's fair is running from June 6 until June 12.

Anyone with information on the horse's death can contact the RSPCA on their appeal line 0300 123 8018 or call police on 101.