The Horse and Ponies Protection Association’s Gregory Farm Rescue Centre is to stay closed for the foreseeable future to protect both staff and equines, after abusive behaviour from the public late last year.

Following a crisis meeting held on 19 December 2012, the Happa board of directors decided to shut down operations at the site, an equine rescue and rehabilitation centre situated in Brockweir, Chepstow, as “a temporary emergency measure due to mounting local pressure”.

Carla Holgate, PA to the chief executive, explained to civilsociety.co.uk today that the closure has been caused by abusive approaches from members of the public to Happa staff, in at least one case out of office hours, over allegations of increased equine euthanasia – actions that Holgate describes as “well-meaning but ill-advised”.

“A member of staff was abused in their personal time with regard to horse euthanasia," Holgate said. "There was an allegation that we had put 35 equines to sleep, and we were concerned that people may try to take matters into their own hands by removing the horses – 'freeing' them in their eyes, but actually putting them in danger.   

“In fact, our euthanasia figures are in line with the year before – slightly less, if anything."

Holgate said that Happa is carrying out a staff consultation process, and she was only able to give out certain information so as not to impinge on the process.

"A decision is still to be made over whether we sell the farm or not," she said. "The site will remain temporarily closed until the end of the consolation – which we hope will be in the next few weeks. As an employer we have to act within our duty of care, to both the staff and the equines as well.

“Staff members continue to be employed but will remain at home on full pay during this temporary period of closure.”

A Happa announcement in December revealed a number of horses from Gregory Farm have already been relocated to the charity’s Northern Centre and HQ near Burnley to ease the pressure at the Brockweir Centre.