The society says it will not neglect needy animals

The BHS said it would be re-focusing its resources to provide more education in the campaign to prevent cases of neglect.

Its national rescue centre at Oxhill is due to close its doors in July but the BHS said it was not turning its back on abandoned and needy animals.

It said it would work closely with other centres to ensure abandoned animals in the area were not neglected.

Ponies re-homed

Wendy Peckham, from the society, said: "The British Horse Society operated a very small rescue centre compared to other equine welfare centres.

"There are plenty of other places for these animals to go to and the society will be working alongside those people to ensure these ponies are properly looked after."

The horses and ponies currently at the rescue centre are in the process of being re-homed.

Since its opening six years ago, more than 200 horses and ponies have been taken into care and successfully re-homed following rehabilitation at the centre.