Report of Bodmin Ponies in Poor Condition

SWEP was contacted by a family who were concerned about the condition of a group of ponies living on a common of Bodmin Moor.  On visiting the common, it was apparent that the ponies had been in poor condition but were improving because the grass quality has just started to pick up... but there were 2 big elements of concern. 

- This lame pony with very overgrown feet was found by our officer and reported to both Defra and the equivalent of a Commoner's Council on Bodmin.  After 1 week of trying to get some action for the pony, we were told by the authorities that the pony was being removed from the moor to have her feet trimmed.

- A large pile of dumped grass clippings were being feasted upon by a herd of ponies.  Members of the public who are frustrated by continually seeing ponies in poor condition throughout the winter, even when they have reported them to the authorities, feel that they have to take action themselves to help.  Although people think they can help ponies by feeding them extra food, food such as grass clippings are very dangerous for horses to eat and cause colic.  Our officer removed a quantity of the clippings and reported the case to the Bodmin Commoners' Council contact so that the owner was informed. 

Update: Our initial attempts to report the lame pony to the commoners were quite difficult.  After a week of trying to make contact, we were eventually told that the owner of the pony was out checking it on the moor twice a day...but their description did not relate to this pony.  We were then told that the pony was being removed from the moor that afternoon to have its feet trimmed.

Update: On Friday 3rd June our officer returned to this common.  We had previously been told that the grey pony in the video had been removed to have her feet trimmed but there was no sign of her on the common.  It is likely that she may have been shot.