The former owner of a horse caught up in a major neglect investigation has spoken about her relief after discovering the animal is alive and well.
Julie Eley, from Blair Atholl, gave the horse, named Tullibardine Star Mosaic, or Tully, to “horse whisperer” Anne MacGregor after she lost access to her grazing and was no longer able to look after her herself.
Tully was stabled on a number of farms in Perthshire before Ms MacGregor moved her with 21 others to Highfield Equestrian Centre near Ladybank in Fife at the start of January.
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Miss Eley was alarmed to learn Tully was one of the animals involved in a Scottish SPCA animal neglect investigation which were moved to a rescue centre in Aberdeenshire by the charity.
Four of the horses have now been put down.
Miss Eley said she called the Scottish SPCA looking for information about Tully who, “was a bit straggly but looked ok” in the last photo Ms MacGregor had sent her.
She said: “I still feel guilty that she was even in that situation, but I feel huge gratitude to the SSPCA. They have a hugely difficult job and when you add in human emotions like anger, guilt, fear and sometimes even hate it must be very difficult for them to deal with.”
She said an inspector called her on his day off to give her the news.
“The rush of relief was huge. At least now I know she is safe and being well cared for and they have promised to keep me informed on her welfare until they decide what can happen with her – be it come home to me, or be rehomed by them,” she added.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Chisholm said: “We can confirm that we are dealing directly with previous owners who have been in touch and we advise anyone with any concerns about individual horses to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Ms MacGregor previously offered her services as a horse whisperer for up to £45 a session and said she used reiki, a Japanese healing method, and telepathic communication to treat the animals.
She has published a statement on social media defending her treatment of the horses explaining she had been “struggling with ill-health”.
She said she personally contacted the Scottish SPCA in January to ask for help to rehome the horses.
