JONATHAN HURST, THE BARTON STACEY HORSE GURU, CONVICTED OF CRUELTY IN HAMPSHIRE

In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates and residents alike, Jonathan Hurst, a self-proclaimed 'horse whisperer' from Barton Stacey, Hampshire, was found guilty in January 2017 of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony under his care. Hurst, born on January 2, 1991, and residing at Kings Elms in Barton Stacey, had previously claimed to possess exceptional skills in training and transforming horses, positioning himself as a knowledgeable horse trainer and expert.r>

However, his reputation was severely tarnished when an investigation revealed the true extent of the cruelty inflicted upon a female pony named Tanzin. The incident took place at a yard located on Longparish Road in Wherwell, Hampshire, where Hurst was responsible for the care of the pony from March 9 to March 14, 2016. During this period, Tanzin suffered grievous injuries, including a severely split tongue and eye trauma, injuries that the RSPCA described as 'absolutely shocking.'

The RSPCA reported that Tanzin's injuries were left untreated by a veterinarian, highlighting the neglect and cruelty involved. The organization’s inspector, Jan Edwards, expressed her horror at the condition of the pony, stating, 'Tanzin had been left to suffer with absolutely shocking injuries. I have never seen anything like the state of her tongue.' She further condemned the cruelty, emphasizing that it was 'callous to leave an animal to suffer in this way without proper veterinary treatment.'

According to reports, Tanzin’s owner was devastated upon discovering her injured pony. She reportedly screamed when she first saw Tanzin’s eye, which had turned grey, fearing that her beloved animal had been blinded. Prior to the discovery of her tongue wound, Tanzin had refused to eat, indicating her distress and pain.

Hurst’s claims of being a skilled horse trainer were contradicted by the evidence of neglect and abuse. The court found him guilty of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. As part of his sentence, Hurst was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and was fined £300. Notably, there was no ban imposed on him from keeping animals, raising concerns among animal welfare groups about the adequacy of the punishment.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in animal care, especially when individuals present themselves as experts. Tanzin’s suffering serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that can occur under the guise of expertise, and the need for strict enforcement of animal protection laws in Hampshire and beyond.