A YOUNG gelding had to be put down after being found in a field on Smite Hill in Hindlip with horrific injuries caused by a badly-fitting collar.

RSPCA officers found the horse near the Smite Caravan Site at about 5.25pm on Wednesday, February 12.

It was wearing a blue nylon head collar which had become so tight it had cut into its nose right down to the nasal bone.

The collar was also restricting its breathing and eating so it had become extremely thin.

It is thought that it had been in the condition for some time.

The RSPCA officers called a vet to the scene who made the decision to put the animal to sleep due to the extent of its injuries.

RSPCA inspector Kelly Lake said: “This was such a sad situation and the horse was just too badly injured and in too poor a condition to be saved. “This could so easily have been prevented.

“We are in the middle of a horse crisis, with more than 800 in our care that have been neglected or abandoned and we wouldn’t be in this situation if owners just took some responsibility for their animals.”

A spokesman from West Mercia Police said officers did not attend the scene as they were satisfied the RSPCA officers and the vet had it under control. She added no arrests had been made as a result of the incident and the investigation was being handled by the RSPCA.

Anyone with information on the horse or who its owner may be is asked to call the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

To help the RSPCA care for rescued horses visit http://choices.rspca.org.uk/Appeal/sponsor-a-stable-block