ONE horse has died and six others have been taken into care by animal charities after they were found neglected in 'horrendous' conditions. 

The animals were living in a field near Winchester - but were reported to the RSPCA after caring residents raised their concerns. 

Louise Elton, who lives in Winchester, raised the alarm after she became concerned about the welfare of the seven horses.

Louise said: "It is devastating. There is no excuse for a horse to be in that condition." 

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She said that three of the animals had previously been in the care of The Hampshire Spirit Rescue Centre, a charity that helps people struggling to look after their horses, with the charity rehoming the horses and placing them into the care of a family six months ago. 

The family passed initial checks and the charity's three-month inspection, however, the horses' welfare went downhill recently, with the charity taking three of the horses back into its care earlier this month. 

Sadly the intervention was too late for one horse, named Marius, who has since died. 

Kaley Paker, a trustee for the Hampshire Spirit Rescue Centre, said: "On Saturday, August 20, I went to do a regular home check, which we do at three and six months. The one at three months was fine and the one on Saturday I found them in horrendous conditions. We were concerned they had underlying health issues.

"We took them back on August, 21, and on the next day we had the vet out and it was confirmed none of them had health concerns and their condition was just down to neglect and starvation."

Ina Bauer, who owned Marius before handing him to the charity, has since started a petition online named 'Get justice for Marius'. It has so far received over 700 signatures.

She said: "Marius was a lovely horse. I am absolutely gobsmacked as to why they [the family] did not ask for help from the charity. It is horrific and I am furious. I do not blame the charity because they went above and beyond to try and save him."

Several animal welfare charities including the RSPCA were contacted to help the remaining four horses.

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And the RSPCA has since confirmed the animals are now in their care.

A spokesperson from the RSPCA added: "We are aware of this situation and four horses are now in our care." 

They said they could not discuss specific details as it could prejudice a future prosecution. 

They added: “We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us and we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare.”