Pony Dies After RTC On Bodmin Moor

We received several reports about this dead pony that was lying dead beside the B3254 road on Bodmin Moor.  The pony had obviously been hit by a car and suffered serious injuries - the condition of the pony on inspection showed it had had blood pouring out of its nostrils, a head injury, and intestinal rupturing and blood from its stomach area.

If the driver of a vehicle hits a pony they are legally required to report the incident to the police.  In many cases the incidents are "hit and runs" and so the pony in distress is not reported, and this is why ponies die as a result of internal injuries.

Local residents tell us that 4 ponies have been involved in road traffic collisions in this area of Bodmin Moor alone within the last week.

Report of a Mare and Foal in Poor Condition on Bodmin Moor

We received a report of a chestnut pony with a foal in very poor condition on Bodmin Moor.  The ponies were described as having a depressed demeanour and they were wandering alone, not with a herd.  They were seen out on the moor at the end of last week.  SWEP have been told by the authorities that all ponies in poor condition on all parts of Bodmin are being removed from the commons, so we have contacted the authories to ensure these ponies are among those that have been removed.

More Ponies in Poor Condition on Bodmin Moor

SWEP welfare checks continue to pick up ponies in poor condition  (who are also feeding foals) on Bodmin

Report of Ponies in Poor Condition on Bodmin Moor

Our SWEP welfare officer followed up a report of neglected ponies on a common of Bodmin Moor.  An informant told us that they had found a dead pony on the common just 2 weeks ago and that there were other ponies in poor condition.

One of our officers attended the common and found 2 groups of ponies.  The ponies we found were in good condition but the clear hoof marks in the corral on-site showed that ponies may well have been moved very recently.

Our officer also took the opportunity to check some of the other commons on Bodmin where we have recently found ponies with poor and emaciated body conditions.

Update - SWEP reported this mare and foal to the authorities.  We have been told that they have both been removed from the moor.  We have been assured that they are not going to be destroyed and that they are being properly cared for and are going to be checked by a veterinary surgeon.  We have offered the mare and foal places at SWEP if no owner is found.

Lame Dartmoor Hill Pony Foal

SWEP received a phone call from a member of the public to report a lame Hill pony foal that was with its mother alongside the road from Princetown to Yelverton.  Two of our officers attended and assessed the foal.  The foal was slightly lame but it seemed to be only a very minor lameness, and more like a strain from which the foal will recover on its own.  We will monitor this area and keep an eye on this foal to make sure that it recovers.

Dartmoor Hill Pony Badly Injured in RTC

SWEP received a call from a member of the public at just after 9pm to report a badly injured black and white Dartmoor Hill Pony, between Pork Hill and Merrivale, on the Tavistock to Princetown road.  The informant said that the pony was trying to get up, but each time it tried the pony collapsed in a heap on the ground.  The injuries indicate that this pony has been involved in a road traffic collision.

SWEP promptly informed the Commoners who said they were sending someone out to the pony straight away.

Bodmin Pony Welfare Rescue

On the afternoon of 13th June, SWEP were able to legally seize this emaciated pony and her foal from Bodmin Moor under section 18, part 5 of the Animal Welfare Act.  More photos of this pony can be seen on our blog entry of 3rd June.  Both are now receiving the care and treatment they need.  The mare has no identification marks or microchip and is fairly friendly.  We believe she may have been abandoned on the moor.

SWEP would like to say a huge thank you to all parties and volunteers involved in this operation, which took place at short notice out on the open moorland.

Update 16/06/2011 - The rescued mare has now been named Megan, and her foal has been named Heston.  They are settling in very well at the yard and Megan certainly likes her food!

23/07/11 - Here are Megan and Heston...as you can see, they are both progressing well

05/09/11 - Heston has made friends with an orphan Dartmoor Hill Pony foal that we have at our rescue centre.  Due to Megan's severely emaciated condition when she arrived, despite all the extra feeds and supplements, she was unable to provide enough milk for her foal, and her milk dried up far too early...so Heston has been having extra milk feeds.  Here he is (on the left) with his milk moustache and his friend Fidget the foal.  And below is a photo of Megan who has put on a lot of condition and loves nothing more than to be groomed.

Herd of Bodmin Ponies in Poor Condition

SWEP had received a callout to a pony in poor condition with a foal on another area of Bodmin Moor.  Our Welfare Officer attended the common and found that there are many ponies (possibly as many as 25) in poor condition ranging from between body scores 1 and 2.  Most have foals, whilst others are heavily pregnant.  All have an identification mark linking them to a particular owner. 

It is very concerning to see ponies in such poor condition in mid-summer.  These ponies should be in better condition and if they do not improve, they will struggle going into the winter, especially if we have snow again.

Report of a Dartmoor Hill Pony with Badly Overgrown Feet

This evening one of our officers responded to a report of a Dartmoor Hill Pony mare who was out on the moor with badly overgrown feet.  The Commoners were able to help us identify the owner of the pony.  On contacting the owner, he promptly came out to meet our SWEP officer who was with the pony and its foal.  The owner agreed to remove the pony from the moor, trim the its feet, and then return to pony back to the moor. 

We will return tomorrow to make sure that the pony has been removed.

Update 26/06/11 - We are happy to report that this pony is now back out on the moor with its foal.  The mare's feet have been trimmed and the pony is looking much more comfortable. 

Dartmoor Hill Pony Foal Rescue

Late this evening, SWEP took in a Dartmoor Hill Pony foal that was in need of rescuing.  The mother of the foal had been shot and the foal was apparently being attacked by other ponies out on the moor.  The foal had a deep cut on its leg that needed veterinary attention.  The owner of the foal agreed that it could be taken in by SWEP.

We think the foal is about 6 weeks old and is looking strong and healthy, and we hope that it stands a good chance of surviving.  SWEP officers and volunteers have a rota system in place to make sure the foal receives the regular feeds that it requires.

Still-Born Dartmoor Hill Pony Foal

This morning we received a report from a member of the public of a still born foal at The Pimple, near Tavistock Golf Course.  The mare was described as black and white with a blue eye, and she was still stood over the foal.  SWEP reported the case to the Commoners who will get the owner to remove the foal from the moor. 

Dartmoor Hill Pony Foal Trapped in Barbed Wire

At 7pm SWEP received a phone call from a member of the public to report a foal with barbed wire around its legs.  We were given an accurate location of the foal and its mare - which meant that we knew who its owner was.  The owner of the pony was contacted and he went straight out to find the ponies. 

Chagford Pony Market



These young ponies at the sale may have come from Bodmin


Our Welfare Officer (who was actually on a "day off") attended the sale of ponies at Chagford market on Dartmoor.  Chagford market is usually well organised and set out by the auctioneers.  Our officer found one pen where a big (maybe 14hh) shod mare was intimidating, threatening and kicking out at a small pony that it was corralled with.   Our officer went to find the Trading Standards representative at the sale but none was present.  On speaking with the auction staff to alert them to the problem, they promptly came and removed the small pony from the pen and found it a pen of its own.

At the market our officer was attacked by a member/supporter of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association for appearing on BBC Countryfile in April - because SWEP voiced our opinion that we do not support the mass slaughter and large scale overbreeding of Dartmoor Hill Ponies.  SWEP absolutely sticks by our position on this matter and we will not be intimidated by anyone into saying otherwise.  We believe the true answer to the current problems is to remove ALL the stallions from the moor.

The Shocking Extent of the Mass Slaughter of Ponies on Dartmoor -

The number killed by ONE slaughterman between Autumn 2010 and March 2011

Pony Victim of an RTA - Hit By Car Near Princetown, Dartmoor

On Saturday morning SWEP received a call from a member of the public to say that a pony had been hit by a car just outside of Princetown.  There was an organised running event across Dartmoor this morning and a runner saw the pony get hit by the car.  The car driver did not stop.

The scene of the RTA was already being attended by the Police and the owner of the pony had been called to the scene, so SWEPs attendence wasn't needed.  The pony was badly injured, we believe it had a broken leg, and needed to be put to sleep.  One of our officers lives nearby and witnessed what happened next from her house.  Unfortunately, the destruction of the pony did not happen in a humane way - the pony suffered for over 45 minutes with repeated attempts to destroy it, and this will be something that we will be bringing up with the Commoners' Council.  There should be a system in place on Dartmoor for humane destruction of any pony that has suffered a serious injury.

Two Emaciated Ponies With Foals on Bodmin Moor

Today a SWEP officer attended Bodmin Moor after a welfare callout from a member of the public.  One pony is severely emaciated and is feeding a young foal.  The other mare is in very poor condition and is also feeding a foal.

This case is currently ongoing and we are trying to get the best outcome for the ponies.  The case is being taken up in Parliament.  More details will appear on this blog as it is safe to post them...