The three young horses had apparently been spotted in the veld behind the Lafrenz Industrial Area more than a year ago, but the SPCA was only recently informed of their plight and took action Friday.

The front legs of all three horses had been bound together to restrict their movement, presumably for all of their lives.

The horses were extremely skittish and only after buckets of water were carried to them did they calm down enough to be caught.

When the ropes were cut off, the horses' bleeding and scarred legs were evidence that they had been hobbled for a very long time.

The ropes had cut into their flesh and they could not walk normally, even after they were freed.

Only after a while did they realise that they could move their legs freely and didn't have to hop around any longer.

There were sighs of relief and tears of joy among the rescuers when the horses took their first, awkward steps in more than a year.

The SPCA will keep the horses in a safe place and take care of them until a more permanent arrangement can be made.

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