The horses were rounded up before being transported to their new homes
An operation to rehome almost 50 horses from Manmoel Common has come to a successful conclusion on Friday (18th July), with the animals rounded up and safely on their way to their new homes.
It’s good news all round for Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Borough Councils, who have led a year-long project to find homes for nearly 50 horses and ponies grazing on Manmoel Common. That search came to an end earlier this week with the news that three equine groups had agreed to provide permanent homes for the animals.
The councils took ownership of the horses on Tuesday 8th July, after their owners failed to come forward and claim them. Since taking possession of the animals, officers from both councils have worked together to find suitable permanent homes for the horses and ponies.
Today officers from the Trading Standards team at each council, with the assistance of Powys County Council, Gwent Police and other partners, rounded up the horses ready for them to go to their new homes at Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk, Carmarthen-based Lluest Horse and Pony Trust and the Mare & Foal Sanctuary, Devon.
A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Borough Councils, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to all parties for their tireless work in helping to bring about this positive outcome. It also goes without saying that we would like to sincerely thank Hillcrest, Lluest and the Mare & Foal Sanctuary for agreeing to home the horses and ponies.”
The action to move the horses and ponies was required to address welfare issues associated with the animals on the common. Many of the horses on the common had no known owners, and historically there were issues with the horses and ponies’ basic needs not being met – including insufficient feed, problems with worms and lice, lack of farriery and no breeding controls.
Only animals illegally grazing have been removed from the common.
It is hoped that the rehoming of these horses will result in Manmoel Common becoming more sustainable, and the area will be able to support the remaining horses that have a legal right to graze there.
