Visibly thin horses on property

A major operation involving government officials, vets and police have seen horses seized from the Canterbury property of a harness racing breeder and Irish bar owner.

At least 12 horses have been seized from a Kaikōura harness racing breeder’s property, in a major operation involving government officials and rescue teams.

Police, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff, vets, and staff from a standardbred retraining and re-homing charity yesterday went to Donegal House – a well-known Irish pub and accommodation site, run by standardbred breeder Murray Boyd.

MPI’s director of compliance services Gary Orr said after an enforcement order issued by the court, staff had removed horses from a Kaikōura property ‘‘to ensure their welfare needs are properly met’’.

‘‘MPI is unable to comment further about this matter as it is currently before the court.’’

The Press understands serious welfare concerns had been raised about horses at the property.

There were three large horse trucks at the scene, and people could be seen loading about a dozen horses into them.

About 16 more, many visibly thin, were huddled around large hay feeders in paddocks in front of the property.

More horses could be heard around the property. It’s understood there were about 50 on the grounds.

One mare at the scene had a young foal at foot, and others appeared to be pregnant.

A young horse which managed to escape had to be coaxed out of the bushes by staff from Stable To Stirrup, a charitable trust based just out of Christchurch that specialises in working with standardbred horses.

They could be seen at Donegal House assisting MPI with the uplift, and caring for the horses.

According to information from Harness Racing NZ (HRNZ) records, Boyd was last licensed as a trainer in 2014. But the breeder had big winners coming from his stable as recently as 2016, such as New Zealand Harness Jewels winner Donegal Bettorgretch. HRNZ records show he still owns successful pacer Donegal Delight.

HRNZ and the SPCA have been approached for comment.

Kaikōura District Council’s district licensing committee said public hearings on Donegal House’s liquor licence and manager’s licence were to have been held this month.

‘‘However, the lawyer for the applicant requested a delay to proceeding to allow sufficient time to prepare for the hearing.

‘‘In the interest of justice, the [district licensing committee] set aside the original date and is working with all parties to identify a new date for the hearing.’’