A group of volunteers who have spent more than a year monitoring ‘neglected’ horses in a Bedfordshire field have shared their “deep sadness” after the animals were moved.

This article contains images of animals that may be upsetting.

The volunteers, who wish to remain anonymous, have been caring for horses – and even stepped in to secure fences after reports of multiple horses straying into the road.

One volunteer said: “There was no water. There was nothing in that field. Nothing. They would all be dead by now if we hadn’t stepped in.”

Two of the horses are pictured before the move.

placeholder image — Two of the horses are pictured before the move.

During monitoring walks around the six-acre piece of land, volunteers say a dead mare and her foal were found in a barn.

They claimed they called the RSPCA and the Bedfordshire Police’s Rural Crime Unit about the state of the land and the animals.

One volunteer explained: “We kept reporting it, because that’s what you’re told to do. We’re not professionals - we’re just members of the public. But we were told: ‘If you keep feeding and watering them, nothing will be done.’”

On January 19, another horse was found dead in the field, and the group called on the authorities to help remove the body and rescue the remaining animals.

Dead horse found in the field. Picture: Supplied

They said: “Finding the dead horse was very upsetting.”

But now, after more talks with the police and animal charities, the remaining horses have been relocated.

Chief Inspector Jim Goldsmith at Bedfordshire Police said: “Police have worked alongside RSPCA and World Horse Welfare partners to make regular visits to this site to check on the welfare of the horses, and engage with the animal owners, landowners and local community.

“We have issued a Section 7C notice requiring the movement of horses from the land, and they have now been returned to stables.

“The body of the recently deceased horse was also removed by the owner, and no evidence of injury was identified, so the cause of death remains unknown.

“We are also liaising with the local authority regarding the enforcement of suspected civil offences relating to microchipping of the animals.”

The RSPCA said it was “grateful to residents who have raised their concerns” about the animals.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The RSPCA, police and other horse welfare organisations have all attended this location over the last week and have been working together.

“Our officers and the police are regularly called out to these horses, and we will continue to respond to any concerns raised under the Animal Welfare Act.”

Volunteers claim multiple shelters and sanctuaries had come forward offering to take the horses from the land, but this was blocked.

They said: “We truly hope the horses’ welfare will continue to be closely monitored going forward. We are especially worried about one horse who was recently described by World Horse Welfare as being close to death and has now returned to the site. We can only hope that everything possible is done to save this horse’s life.”

The spokesperson for the RSPCA added: “It should generally be noted that what the law mandates as a minimum legal standard does not necessarily align with the standards many animal lovers – or the RSPCA – wish to see.

"If the needs of the horses are being met, we are unable to legally remove them as we do not have statutory powers.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and ask that if anyone has any first-hand information to contact us or the other agencies.”

While Chief Inspector Jim Goldsmith said: “Our Rural Crime Action Team are passionate about the welfare of animals and have built good relationships with the local community regarding this issue.

“We are grateful to local residents for their concern and assistance, and we would advise that the public do not provide welfare themselves but continue to report any concerns to the police on 101 so that appropriate intervention can take place.”