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The RSPCA has appealed for information after a horse was found impaled on a metal post on Gelligaer Common, near Fochriw, last week.

The young stallion was found dead by volunteers from the Welsh Pony Rescue and Rehoming Charitable Trust on Friday, May 27.

The trust was created by Ann Keating 25 years ago with the aim of caring, protecting and hopefully rehoming wild horses in and around Gelligaer Common.

Volunteer Paige Speed, who was first on the scene, told Caerphilly Observer: “It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen.

“It was completely heartbreaking to see what happened to that poor horse, he must’ve had an agonising death.” 

“None of us at the charity believe this was an accident. We think the horse was spooked and jumped onto the pole when trying to run away.”

This isn’t the first tragedy the group have experienced however, with several other horses having died under “unusual circumstances” according to the charity.

Paige added: “We’ve seen people in the field on quad bikes and motorbikes, it startles the horses.

“It’s a full-time job looking after these horses, we’ve rehomed hundreds over the years so when something like this happens it’s not a great feeling.”

“We rely completely on public donations and our own fundraising to look after the horses. During the winter, we spend £750 a week on hay alone.” Said Paige.

Pony Rescue cares for around 380 horses at the moment across Caerphilly County Borough and Rhondda Cynon Taf, with many having been abandoned by their owners.

Volunteer Lorraine Czaja described the horse’s death as “horrendous” and suggested some people were “unwelcoming” to the horses on the common.

Gwent Police and Caerphilly County Borough have been made aware of the incident.

An RSCPA Cymru spokesperson said: “We are very saddened to hear about this incident and would urge anyone with any information to contact the police, or ourselves on 0300 1234 999”.