The number of horse welfare calls to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has soared in the past 12 months.

The ISPCA said increasing numbers of recession-hit owners are abandoning horses without adequate food or shelter and said there is a now urgent need for a taskforce to be established to combat the problem.

It said that with winter approaching, many more owners may struggle to deal with the costs of providing fodder and feed.

In the first nine months of 2009, the society recorded a total of 791 calls, compared to 453 for the whole of 2008, according to figures supplied to the Sunday Tribune.

"Ireland is a country which has produced some of the best horses both in the racing world and sports arena. It needs now to grasp the nettle and work together with all parties so as not to end up making headlines for all the wrong reasons this coming winter," ISPCA chairwoman Barbara Bent said.

The ISPCA believes the increase in the number of calls to its helpline stems from the over-production of "mediocre to poor" quality horses during the boom years, something which was driven "primarily by the belief that every horse can be a "winner".

"Now, with the down-turn, these horses have little or no monetary value and consequently their lack of welfare becomes far more likely," Bent said.

"Previously we might come upon two or three horses hungry, starved or emaciated. Now, sadly, we are finding maybe eight to 12 at a time under pressure. This is presenting huge problems for everyone working in the equine welfare field. None of us have the resources or capacity to deal with the increased numbers."

Brent said the issue of "sulkie" (or harness) racing was another significant concern. She made her comments as one of Ireland's most celebrated horsefairs, the week long Ballinasloe October horse fair and festival, commenced this weekend in Galway.

"Sulkie racing is on the increase throughout the entire country," she said. "Should we as a horse-loving nation not be utterly ashamed seeing young trotters, some of them not more than foals, pushed beyond the limits? Their life span is short and now, more than ever before, finely bred horses are ending up being bred for this vile 'sport'."