Horse with Severe Osteoarthritis Forced to Haul Marriage Wagon Rescued in Gwalior Following PETA India Complaint

After receiving videos showing an unfit horse with visible osteoarthritis being forced to haul a marriage wagon near Clarks Inn Suites, Gwalior, PETA India filed a complaint with the Madhavganj Police Station to get the horse rescued. A medical examination of the horse revealed that he was suffering from a permanent and painful condition. Following police intervention, the owner voluntarily handed over the horse to PETA India, who was then safely transported to a reputable sanctuary for permanent rehabilitation and care.

Despite being aware of the horse’s serious medical condition, the owner continued to force the animal to work. It was also found that the owner subjected the horse to firing, an outdated and cruel practice in which a horse’s joints are burned using hot irons or chemicals, wrongly believed to treat lameness or arthritis. Modern veterinary science has proven that firing has no medical benefit and instead causes severe pain, burns, infections, and permanent damage. This practice was done on both hock joints, further increasing the horse’s pain and suffering.

PETA India is grateful to Gwalior Police, particularly Shri Arvind Saxena, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Gwalior Range, who ensured the horse was rescued from a life of suffering and exploitation.

When horses are forced to work on hard roads, they often develop painful and irreversible conditions like osteoarthritis. We encourage the use of non-animal vehicles such as luxury cars or others instead, for weddings.

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