Emaciated horses believed to have been neglected for at least 15 years have been discovered in a manure-filled stable in Maryland, US, with curling, untrimmed hooves which have grown a metre long.
In scenes that are the worst an animal shelter has encountered in a quarter of century, rescuers removed three horses from the stall, where they had stood in manure piled over a metre high and struggled to move due to the length of their hooves.
The group consisted of a full-sized stallion, one miniature stallion, and a miniature mare.
The mare was euthanised on site because she had suffered from irreparable fetlock dislocation.
The stallions were sedated and taken to the Days End Farm Horse Rescue, where they are in a critical condition.
A vet and the farrier treating the animals have said the horses have the worst hoof neglect they have ever seen.
The horses were discovered after a member of the public alerted the Humane Society of Washington County with concerns about the welfare of pet pigeons.
By following standard practice during welfare inspections and checking all animals on the property, members of the organisation discovered the neglected horses.
An investigation into the site is on-going. – The Independent