More than 70 Icelandic horses rescued in major Devon welfare mission

More than 70 Icelandic horses and foals have been rescued in Devon following a 15-month operation involving two local equine charities and the RSPCA.

Concerns raised by the public in May 2024 prompted a joint investigation by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare, with support from several national animal welfare charities.

Welfare officers discovered several semi-feral herds living in poor conditions.

This was due to unmanaged breeding, with mares living alongside fighting colts and stallions. 

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Some horses had serious injuries, and many carried dangerously high worm burdens that can cause malnutrition and illness.

With the owner’s cooperation, horses were signed over in stages and moved to safety, with vets prioritising the most vulnerable animals first, including injured horses and mares with foals. 

By the end of summer 2025, all the horses had been removed and are now cared for by experts across several UK sanctuaries.

Leah Brock, Senior Field Officer at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, said: “I am deeply relieved that all horses involved in this case have now been safely removed. It has been truly humbling to witness the way each charity stepped forward without hesitation, offering their time, resources and expertise. The commitment shown to alleviating potential suffering has been nothing short of inspiring.”

World Horse Welfare’s Deputy Chief Field Officer, Jon Phipps, added: “We had major concerns for their welfare, and without rapid intervention the situation could have spiralled out of control. The resilience and quick learning these horses are showing during rehabilitation is a real tribute to the Icelandic breed.”

ABOVE: A number of charities contributed to the mission (Credit: The Mare and Foal Sanctuary)

RSPCA Inspector Sarah Morris praised the teamwork behind the effort, saying: “This multi-agency approach demonstrated what can be achieved when charities collaborate towards common goals. Each charity contributed specialist skills and knowledge to support the horses and the owner.”

Although a number of severely injured horses were humanely euthanised, the majority are now recovering and will be rehomed or continue to live in sanctuary care.

The charities involved continue to urge anyone struggling with equine care to seek help early and report any issues to the RSPCA or local horse charities.