Extreme cases of neglect have been ever present at the charity, since its foundation almost 60 years ago. And while our current welfare topic of focus is the importance of hoof care, our history gives us the opportunity to reflect on impactful stories from the past that also relate to this concern. A stark reminder that the work Bransby Horses does, is needed just as much as it was six decades ago.
Back in 1980, two significant cases of hoof neglect graced our doorstep.
JR, a small grey 10-year-old pony, arrived from Horncastle on 29th August 1980, at the request of the RSPCA. JR’s hooves had been neglected for so long, they had curled round into a circular shape, almost like horns. He was in a lot of pain and had to walk very carefully.
JR was a drastic reminder of the importance of routine equine care and would carry the consequences of neglect with him for the rest of his life.
Just months later, in November 1980, a passerby saw an elderly donkey struggling to walk on Sawley gravel pit, near Gainsborough. Her hooves were very overgrown and had started to curl upwards like flippers. She had been neglected for several years and received immediate treatment after her arrival at Bransby Horses, with founder Mr. Hunt confident she would be rehabilitated within six months.
Named “Sawley Girl”, the elderly donkey, though to be between 20 and 25 years old, lived another two years under the loving care of the charity. Both her and JR were put to sleep on 10th August 1982.
These two were not the first or last equines to showcase the effects of hoof neglect, and why routine care is so important. An equine’s hooves should be trimmed every four to eight weeks by a registered farrier, with a care plan put in place by their owner.
Discover more about the importance of hoof care by reading our advice page.
Your Support Helps Fund Essential Farrier Care
Stories like JR’s and Sawley Girl’s remind us that neglect doesn’t belong in the past; it’s something our teams continue to face every day. Routine hoof care saves lives, yet many equines still arrive with dangerously overgrown, painful feet.
Our farrier bill reached £68,725 in 2025, and we urgently need help to continue this vital work.
Donate today to help cover farrier costs in 2026.
