Charity clarifies the law regarding Wellingborough's Embankment horses

Some of the horses at Wellingborough's Embankment

As well as being regularly monitored by the RSPCA, it is understood that World Horse Welfare has been checking on the animals at this site.

A statement recently released by Wellingborough School about the horses named the charity and said it has been monitoring the horses who regularly attract concerns about their welfare.

The school statement said: "In addition, World Horse Welfare advised that the site is being monitored by a field officer and was last visited a month ago, and they did not report any immediate concerns.

"The horses are well fed by the public, which they advise the public not to do, as they do not know if the food being provided is appropriate."

It also said they are going to try and arrange another field visit soon.

The Northants Telegraph contacted World Horse Welfare and while they would not comment on this specific case, they clarified the law regarding situations such as this.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We would not comment on an individual case but can confirm that charities do all in their power to resolve these situations within the law.

"They cannot remove horses without an owner’s consent.

"Horses can only be removed under the Animal Welfare Act by police, local authority appointed inspectors or appointed staff from the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) and only with the approval of a veterinary surgeon.

"If an appointed veterinary surgeon does not approve removal the animals must, by law, remain in situ with attending charities then only able to monitor the situation and offer strong advice to the owners."

According to its website, World Horse Welfare's mission is to work with horses, horse owners, communities, organisations and governments to improve welfare standards and stamp out suffering in the UK and worldwide.

To see what the school had to say about the horses, go to https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/school-has-its-say-wellingboroughs-embankment-horses-1360478For more details on the online petition calling for more action to help the horses, which has had more 5,700 signatures, go to https://www.change.org/p/help-the-wellingborough-horses