WARNING: There are some pictures included within this article that some may find to be graphic.
A FORMER employee has raised his concerns of alleged neglect of horses at a riding school in Penrith.
Carl Smith, who previously worked at the Leacett Cottage Trekking Centre, said he left the business located next to Center Parcs two years ago, claiming it was due to welfare concerns of the horses being kept on site.
"No-one really wanted to know. There were different people voicing similar worries and it got pushed under the carpet back then,” he said.
The former employee had been informed that the horses on site are now being sold to dealers, with some now being cared for by another riding centre – which has raised the attention of the animals’ current health situation.
“The state of the horses is absolutely disgusting. Some of the horses are absolute skin and bone. They had been left to fend for themselves with no hay feed.
"The whole thing is absolutely crazy, nobody wanted to know two years ago when I raised my concerns. Now it's come to light – everybody around the area deserves to know what’s went on there, ever since the owners took over,” he said.
Mr Smith said he had been informed one of the horses recently had been put down because it’s hoof had given way because it was so weak.
The whistle-blower also claims that within his employment due to 'neglect', ‘five horses had also been buried on the land’.
Eden District Council had previously licensed Leacett Cottage...
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