We recieved a call to inform us a pony had been killed in a RTA late at night on the Yelverton to Princetown road. The owner was informed and would remove the body.
There is a 40mph speed limit on this road and we urge drivers to stick to this. It has been inforced to protect the livestock, which includes the ponies.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Four New Arrivals
We were asked some time ago by a Cornish farmer if we could take in his final four ponies as he was giving up his herd of minature shetlands. We agreed and waited for the gentleman to get back to us. After a few weeks we arranged collection and bought the ponies back to our rehabilitation yard.
The four were three skewbald colts (photo to follow) and a young black mare. We soon learnt that the boys were timid and the little girl was brimming with character and confidence. As you can see from her photo she was halter trained and leads beautifully.
We will work with all four ponies and they will hopefully be ready for rehoming shortly.
Unclaimed Mare & Foal Come to the Sanctuary
The mare and foal who were left unclaimed after the Merrivale drift have been taken in by SWEP. The Reeve, who temporarily took them in, and the Commoners did all they could to try and establish an owner however no one came forward and the pair were signed over into our care. Both ponies are healthy with a good, calm nature. The foal is a colt and will be weaned shortly, he will live with a small group of other babies who have recently been weaned. The mare will be moved in with a group of mares, the mothers of the weaned foals.
We believe this particular mare is in foal, so we will inform our readers of any suprise arrivals when and if they occur.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Hallworthy Stockyard Horse & Pony Sale
Today saw the third sale of horses and ponies at Hallworthy stockyard, along with rare breeds of cattle and sheep. Thirty nine equines, including four donkeys, were due to go through the ring but the final number was thirty two. Two sellers did not arrive and a few booked in late. The quality of the horses, ponies and donkeys was high, however sales prices were low. The auctioneer said that the later sales often see low sales prices due to being so close to Christmas.
Spirits were high and all but three of the equines sold, two only went unsold because the seller did not want to part with them at such a low price. All pens were appropriately stocked and all animals had access to water, all handing and loading techniques were acceptable and there were no welfare issues.
Spirits were high and all but three of the equines sold, two only went unsold because the seller did not want to part with them at such a low price. All pens were appropriately stocked and all animals had access to water, all handing and loading techniques were acceptable and there were no welfare issues.
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Exeter Horse Sale - 13/11/2012
The quality and standards at todays horse sale at Exeter was high with many of the horses and ponies making good prices. The pens were clean and not crowded in the slightest.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Trapped Mare & Foal at Teignhead Newtake
Our welfare officer was contacted by an anonymous caller who reported a mare and foal were trapped on a large area of ground at the edge of the swollen river. Both were in a bad way and needed assistance.
Our welfare officer and her trusted helper went out at first light to find the pair and assess the situation. They were unable to reach the area by vehicle as it was on the other side of the swollen river and there had been a light snowfall, leaving snow on the ground. The pair picked their way safely to the ponies, it soon became apparent they were in a bad way with the mare being extremely weak. She could not walk and when our welfare officer reached her she collapsed. She was covered by a thick overcoat in an effort to keep her warm, but it was obvious she was not going to make it. She was emaciated, covered in ticks and her milk had run dry. Her foal was of weaning age but he was looking for reassurance from his mother.
Phone reception was minimal so our officer went to find signal and made a number of phone calls to try and contact the owner. Contact was not made so she made her way back to the ponies and her helper then went back to his 4x4 and drove to the owners farm to alert him of the ponies plight. The owner and some of his helpers were on the scene soon after. After much deliberation it was decided it was unsafe to try and move the ponies due to the treacherous conditions and the swollen, fast moving river. The mare was suffering so it was decided to put her to sleep there and then. The foal was understandably distressed, and again after much thought it was decided he should be put to sleep at the scene also. To move him would have caused further stress and it was unsafe for foal and people to move him. If he had been left to fend for himself he would have died within days.
We feel all involved did all they could to alleviate any further suffering, and had the conditions been better the outcome would have been more positive.
Our welfare officer and her trusted helper went out at first light to find the pair and assess the situation. They were unable to reach the area by vehicle as it was on the other side of the swollen river and there had been a light snowfall, leaving snow on the ground. The pair picked their way safely to the ponies, it soon became apparent they were in a bad way with the mare being extremely weak. She could not walk and when our welfare officer reached her she collapsed. She was covered by a thick overcoat in an effort to keep her warm, but it was obvious she was not going to make it. She was emaciated, covered in ticks and her milk had run dry. Her foal was of weaning age but he was looking for reassurance from his mother.
Phone reception was minimal so our officer went to find signal and made a number of phone calls to try and contact the owner. Contact was not made so she made her way back to the ponies and her helper then went back to his 4x4 and drove to the owners farm to alert him of the ponies plight. The owner and some of his helpers were on the scene soon after. After much deliberation it was decided it was unsafe to try and move the ponies due to the treacherous conditions and the swollen, fast moving river. The mare was suffering so it was decided to put her to sleep there and then. The foal was understandably distressed, and again after much thought it was decided he should be put to sleep at the scene also. To move him would have caused further stress and it was unsafe for foal and people to move him. If he had been left to fend for himself he would have died within days.
We feel all involved did all they could to alleviate any further suffering, and had the conditions been better the outcome would have been more positive.
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