The condition of three horses living on muddy land and without food is causing growing concern.

For a few years the horses, a male, female and foal, have been living off Kitchener Avenue, next to Chatham cemetery.

Until recently, the owner, known locally as Billy, came to look after them but neighbours say he had an accident and since then the horses have been neglected.

Karen Phillips, a cleaner, walks past the horses on her way to and from work every day. She said: “Their field is just a mud pit, there’s no grass for them. They’re never given hay and they don’t have rugs on. They hardly ever have water in there either.

“I go up there with carrots and things for them and a few other people nearby chuck over what food they can over the fences, but it’s just a treat really. It’s not enough.” The horses’ thick winter coats are hiding their rib cages, but they appear malnourished.

Ms Phillips said: “Not long ago I was walking past and the mare caught her hoof in a fence, trying to get to some grass. There was blood everywhere. She was panicking and I managed to get her free.

“I called the RSCPA and the police who eventually came. Her leg was cleaned and stitched up but there was no sign of the owner. I’ve been on the phone to horse charities and every so often they will drop off some hay, but it’s just a temporary fix. Something needs to be done.”

There have also been reports on social media of children throwing stones at the horses.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “We are aware of horses kept in a field by Chatham cemetery and have made visits to check on their welfare during the past couple of years.

"The RSPCA and other horse welfare charities can only remove animals if the law allows us to do so and in this case the horses are having their basic needs met.

“We will continue to keep an eye on them to make sure they are OK and urge anyone with specific concerns to let us know on 0300 123 8018.”

The horses are on land owned by mhs homes which said it is prepared to take legal action to get them moved.

Chief executive Ashley Hook, pictured, said: “We are aware of the horses that have been unlawfully left on our land in Kitchener Avenue.

“The wellbeing of the horses is of primary importance and we have been in contact with the RSPCA to seek their advice.

We are trying to identify the owners and would urge them to contact us as soon as possible.

If we do not hear from the owners shortly, we will have no alternative but to resort to legal action to remove the horses."

The RSPCA said the situation with the neglected horses was not uncommon.

A spokesman said: “The country is in the grip of a crisis with the RSPCA and other horse welfare charities struggling to cope with the numbers of abandoned, neglected and abused horses.”