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Former Cheltenham Racecourse Farrier Loses Appeal Against Animal Ban Following Brutal Horse Attack

Former Cheltenham Racecourse head farrier Scott Manson has lost his appeal against a 10-year ban on keeping and working with animals. The ban comes in the wake of a brutal attack on a horse named Buddy, during which Manson struck the animal nine times with a hammer. The prosecution labeled the attack as ‘unprovoked and prolonged,’ leading to Manson’s initial conviction and subsequent appeal.

Scott Manson’s dark actions took place on April 1, 2022, when he was shoeing a client’s horse named Buddy. Unbeknownst to Buddy’s human, this routine procedure would turn into a harrowing ordeal for the horse. After losing his temper, Manson used a hammer to relentlessly strike Buddy, who was tied up at the time. Shockingly, this vicious assault, which lasted over six minutes, was caught on CCTV cameras at the stable yard. The court revealed that Buddy suffered nine blows to his front legs, causing significant pain and physical harm.

Manson pleaded guilty to the charge of animal cruelty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court. He received a 12-week suspended prison term, 150 hours of unpaid work, and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Moreover, he was ordered to pay £528 in costs and surcharges. The most impactful consequence, however, was the 10-year ban on keeping and working with animals, a sentence he appealed against.

During the appeal hearing at Gloucester Crown Court, expert witness Dr. Suzanne Green, a specialist in equine matters, provided critical insight into the severity of Manson’s actions. Dr. Green emphasized that the horse suffered greatly due to the lack of soft tissue protection in the areas targeted by Manson’s blows. The strikes landed nearly directly on the bone, causing significant pain and trauma. The expert stressed that Manson had alternative options to manage the situation, but he chose a path of violence and cruelty.

Despite testimonies and pleas from Manson’s defense, the court rejected his appeal to have the ban restricted only to equestrian animals. Judge Ian Lawrie KC, sitting alongside magistrates Dr. Margie Doble and Siobhan Young, highlighted the gravity of Manson’s actions and the need to prevent any further harm to animals. The court deemed Manson’s temperamental history with animals a serious concern and emphasized the importance of protecting all creatures from potential acts of cruelty

The court’s decision to uphold the 10-year ban on Manson’s involvement with all animals reflects a commitment to safeguarding the well-being of innocent creatures. The equine world, in particular, is closely monitoring such cases to ensure that acts of cruelty and violence are met with stern consequences. The hope remains that this ruling will deter future incidents and promote a culture of compassion and respect for all living beings.

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