Investigation into poisoning at Calderdale stables which could have killed 16 horses

Staff at family-run Clough House Liveries at Clough House Farm in Soyland have been left devastated by the deaths.

Equine vets from Shelf-based Hird & Partners were called last week after horses were taken ill.

Owners claim that as many as 16 horses have now died and another three are being treated.

Owners claimed the deaths could have been caused by botulism, powerful toxins which attack the nervous system including the brain and spine causing paralysis.

However, that has been denied by the vets who said: “Early indications are that this is a poisoning due to an unidentified toxin.”

In a statement Sally Strachan, a partner at the vets, said: “There is no indication of infectious disease. The problem is an isolated incident on one yard.

“The source of the toxin is believed to be a contaminated food source that has now been removed and does not pose a risk to other animals or people.”

An owner of one of the dead horses said she and other owners feared an outbreak of botulism, though she admitted such an incident was extremely rare.

She said she understood 16 horses had died and another three were being treated.

“There are a lot of mixed emotions among the owners right now,” she said.

“We cannot point the finger of blame at anybody but the least we deserve is an explanation.”

It is understood some owners have been left with vet’s bills running into thousands of pounds for horses that have died.

Clough House Liveries is well-established and has a good local reputation.

A man who identified himself only as “Corey the yard manager” told a reporter: “We have very tragically lost horses and I cannot say how sad we are.

“We are working very closely with the vets and other authorities, who have all been amazing.”

Corey was asked how many horses had died but he said: “I can’t confirm how many horses have died. We are incredibly heartbroken at this moment.”

In a statement Hird & Partners said they were called in on Tuesday October 13 and confirmed that a “significant” number of horses had died

The statement added: “This has been a very distressing time for the horse owners and the equine hospital staff involved and we very much appreciate all the support we have received from the wider veterinary community around the world.

“We will not be commenting further at this stage and are focusing all our efforts on providing intensive care for the remaining sick horses admitted to the Shelf Equine Hospital.”

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the Animal and Plant Health Agency had advised the vets but was not leading an investigation.

Calderdale Council also said it had not been involved.