The RSPCA is bracing for an ‘impending horse welfare catastrophe’ after dealing with 36 horse incidents in Oxfordshire during lockdown.

The charity fears the Covid-19 recession will bring an influx of sick and abandoned horses despite the microchipping of horses becoming compulsory in England.

Although the RSPCA welcomed the change in the law to make microchipping of all horses mandatory, as it is for dogs, the charity warned the move is not enough alone to tackle irresponsible breeders and owners at the heart of the equine crisis, which has now raged for eight years.

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The RSPCA is expecting more horses to be abandoned or neglected, as a result of the pandemic and is urging people who are looking to take on a horse to think about adopting one from the charity.

The charity also revealed that nationally the number of horses in its care is already three times what it was at the start of the last recession in 2009.

Throughout October the RSPCA will be promoting its Adoptober campaign and shining a light on animals in its care which need a new home and highlighting the benefits of adopting.