The ISPCA is reminding anyone selling a horse that they must update their ownership details, after a former racehorse was found abandoned suffering from starvation in Co Westmeath.
Last November the ISPCA found a horse discarded on disused development land in Athlone.
Through his microchip they located his registered owner who claimed he sold him two months previously.
The horse was raced under the name 'Suspect' and has since made a good recovery.
The ISPCA added the case is yet another example of an ex-racehorse being thrown on the scrap heap when his career comes to an end.
Efforts to establish who is responsible for leaving the horse in such an emaciated state are on-going.