Balloon ban campaign after thoroughbred chokes to death

The RSPCA is calling for helium balloons and lanterns to be banned after a thoroughbred horse died as a result of choking on a balloon that came to rest in a field in North Yorkshire.

Feisty, a three year old foal, suffered an agonising death. In the past farm animals, birds and sea mammals have all died after swallowing the balloons.

The thoroughbred was from an impressive bloodline of show jumpers and worth £15,000. Her father was ranked 12th in the world. But a helium party balloon landed in her field at Spring House Farm in Harrogate.

As Feisty careered across the road, entangled in the gate, she broke her back leg as well. She bolted through a second gate and broke her neck.

Jennifer is a senior figure in the equestrian world. She is a British Show Jumping Association judge and a former chief examiner with the British Horse Society. She wants a nationwide ban on these balloons and lanterns and is supported in her campaign by the RSPCA.