AN animal charity is appealing for more help from horse lovers following a 55 per cent rise in the number of equines being rescued from neglect.

The RSPCA has revealed that it is rescuing almost three horses a day, last year seizing 979 of the animals.

The charity blamed the impact of the recession, over-breeding, the high costs of vet bills and falling prices for horses for contributing to the crisis, which it says has seen a distressing number of equines dumped dead and dying.

Among those taken in by the charity was gentle giant Jack, who arrived at Felledge Equine Centre, near Chester-le-Street after being seized by the RSPCA.

Suffering from weight and muscle loss, worms and from not having had any farriery care, Jack was taken in by the RSCPA and spent months being retrained before being rehomed by North Yorkshire rider Sam Cook.

She said: “I decided to visit Felledge and see the ponies needing homes. There were several that I really liked, but then they said ‘there’s just the big boy left to show you, we call him the dinosaur!’

“As soon as I saw Jack I knew he was the horse for me.

“My previous horse who I adored was a cob, but Jack is something else, he’s enormous! Very often people mistake him for a Shire or a police horse.

“He was cheeky when I first got him to the yard but he soon settled, and now all the other horse owners at the yard adore him. He’ll be turned out with any other horse, he’s calm about everything from the farrier to the vet.”

The charity is currently looking after more than 850 horses, donkeys and ponies and has launched Stables Sponsorship, asking horse lovers to help the RSPCA care for rescued equines until they are ready for rehoming.

Cathy Hyde, from the RSPCA, said: “For several years now we as a charity have been picking up the pieces of the equine crisis, with our inspectors being called out to sick, injured, neglected or cruelly treated horses every single day. And despite our best efforts the crisis is not getting any better.

“Last year we took in 979 horses which was a 55 per cent increase on the year before.

“For many of the horses, being rescued is just the beginning of a long road to recovery, and it can take many months for us to rehabilitate them to a point where they can be rehomed.

“The time and work during those months is absolutely essential but extremely costly, and we now find ourselves with over 850 horses in our care, so we desperately need the public’s help.

“Those who rehome a horse from us are doing something very special but for those who aren’t in a position to do so, this new scheme provides a unique opportunity to make a huge difference too.”

To sign up to the scheme, please call 0300 123 0346 or visit www.rspca.org.uk/stables.