Enquiries continue into the death of a horse found in an Uxbridge river.

The RSPCA has confirmed that it is still investigating the grisly find: a black Welsh Cobb mare, its hooves tied together and wearing a red horse jacket, found in Fray’s River close to Packet Boat Lane on the borders of Cowley.

“Anyone with any information please let us know, but at the moment we do not have a great deal to go on,” said a spokesman.

Meanwhile, readers have raised concerns about horses spotted on a patch of ground close at the end of West End Road in Ruislip.

“The RSPCA is aware of the concerns about the horses at the Polish War Memorial in Ruislip,” said the spokesman, “and we have been monitoring them for many months.

“We have no more legal rights than any member of the public and can only remove animals if the law allows us to do so.

“At present there are owners who feed and water them, and so there are no urgent concerns for their immediate welfare under the law, but we will continue to monitor them in situ.” 

Another reader has been in touch about horses on land in Harlington, and the Gazette regularly passes on readers' concerns when notified.

It is unclear how the Packet Boat Lane horse met its death or why its hooves were tied up, and the owner has yet to come forward.

It is also unclear if the horse was neglected of ill-treated before it died.

Hillingdon police have been made aware and are liaising with the RSPCA.

The RSPCA spokesman said the charity ‘would very much like to see some legislation put in place concerning tethering [of horses], and is also calling on Westminster to follow the example set by the Welsh Government last year to introduce new legislation to tackle fly grazing and abandonment problems.’ 

“We want to see greater enforcement of microchipping and passporting legislation so we can identify those horses left to graze on other peoples’ land,” it said.

"The country is currently in the grip of a horse crisis with the RSPCA and other horse welfare charities struggling to cope with the numbers of abandoned, neglected and abused horses.

"We are stretched to breaking point with about 125 places at our equine centres but more than 800 horses in our care."

Natasha Baker echoes call for better horse protection