Horse has to be put to sleep after being found collapsed in a field after being 'dragged' and dumped. 

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a fatally injured horse was left to die in a farmer’s field.

The piebald gelding was discovered collapsed in the far corner of a farmer’s field in Stifford Clays Road, Orsett, Essex, on Saturday.

It is thought the horse may have been pulled to where it was dumped as it had injuries to it’s left leg, left flank and left leg which are consistent with him being dragged.

A member of the public called the RSPCA on Saturday afternoon after discovering the horse collapsed in the field.

He is thought to have been dumped there because it is an isolated spot which can’t be seen from the road.

The horse managed to stagger to it’s feet but had a cut spiralling around his hind leg which was down to the bone.

The injury was so severe he could not put any weight on it.

RSPCA inspector Lucy Brennan said: “It looked as if something had been wrapped around his leg, it was a very clean cut.

"He also had a graze on his flank and a golf ball sized lump on his left eye.

“His injuries are all on one side and are consistent with him being dragged.

"He couldn’t put any weight on his leg so he wouldn’t have been able to have walked to where he was dumped. He was in considerable pain.”

Sadly his injuries were so severe that he was put to sleep on veterinary advice to stop him suffering further.

The horse was microchipped but it wasn’t registered to an owner.

It is thought he had been dumped overnight under the cover of darkness.

Inspector Brennan added: “It is a horrendously cruel thing to do to abandon an injured horse. I would really like to hear if anyone knows who left this horse.”

Anyone with information can contact Inspector Brennan by the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 1238018.

The RSPCA can only carry out investigations with your help. If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message)