Man banned from keeping horses after overworking horse at Appleby fair

Joseph Lee Mansell of Chestnut Road in Walsall, West Midlands, pleaded not guilty at North Cumbria Magistrates Court and after a trial was found guilty on July 15 of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in a case brought by the RSPCA, .

The court heard that Mansell had attended the annual horse event in Appleby, Cumbria last June, with his trotter mare known as Classic Lady. 

Classic Lady at World Horse Welfare (Image: World Horse Welfare) RSPCA Inspectors and welfare officers from a number of other animal welfare organisations were made aware on June 10 of concerns for the welfare of Classic Lady, who was reported to have collapsed at the event. 

RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson said: “My colleagues and I were stationed by the River Eden at an area called The Sands when communication was received over our radios that Cumbria Police were requesting assistance with an overworked horse which had been witnessed falling down multiple times on a road called Battle Barrow. 

“We responded to the call and started to make our way towards that area, and whilst walking up the hill towards the school several members of the public told us the horse had been going up and down the hill non-stop and had fallen over several times.”

Further injuries sustained by Classic Lady (Image: World Horse Welfare) The welfare team discovered the horse, known as Classic Lady, standing up but very sweaty and breathing heavily, and unsteady on her feet. She was suffering with fresh wounds to her skin from the fall, some of which were still bleeding, and when members of the public offered her water, she quickly drank. 

Two specialist equine vets certified Classic Lady to be suffering, and Cumbria Police took her into possession, placing her in the care of the RSPCA.

In their witness statement the vet described the horse when she examined her: “The horse was extremely sick at the time of being removed from the owner and required intravenous fluid therapy and medical care to return her to normal metabolic status. 

Classic Lady is being looked after by World Horse Welfare (Image: World Horse Welfare) “The horse was ataxic and very lethargic when she moved because she was so weak from the exhaustion.

"A responsible horse owner would have ensured this horse was provided with adequate rest. The day was extremely hot and this should have alerted the owner to the fact that water and rest were even more vital to this horse.

“The horse had a wound on her leg, and sustained further injuries from the harness rubbing on it, and sustained further injuries when she collapsed onto the road. The horse was pregnant at the time of this event.”

Lee Mansell was found guilty following a trial, and disqualified from owning or keeping equines for ten years, which he cannot appeal for five years. 

Magistrates sentenced him to 12 weeks custody, which will be suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete a 12 month community order including attending five rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay costs of £500.

READ MORE: Investigation begins after horse dies at Appleby Horse Fair

Classic Lady is now being looked after at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

In mitigation, the court heard that Mansell had no prior convictions.