Grey Mare Update

The golfer who informed us of the grey mare with a plastic gutter stuck on her leg has informed us that she is indeed back on the golf course and looks a lot happier. She is no longer limping.

Colliford Lake Callout

SWEP received a call from South West Water in regards to 12 ponies around the Colliford Lake, near Bodmin. When our welfare officer arrived the ponies had been removed. This area is experiencing on going problems amongst the local farmers. The area close to the lake is known as Redhills and there are more ponies grazing than the land size can take. Hay is some times put out and has seen on previous visits, it is an area that SWEP is monitoring.

RTC Princetown to Yelverton Road

A SWEP member of staff reports a dead pony on the road from Princetown to Yelverton, a possible RTC. The Livestock Protection Officer was informed and arranged for the body to be taken away. We are still experiencing high numbers of RTC call outs, which proves that motorists are still driving to fast and without due care and attention across the moors. This is a criminal offence as is not reporting an RTC with any type of livestock.

Dead Pony on Princetown to Tavistock Road

A dead pony was reported on the Princetown to Tavistock  road near the main car park. The DLPS was informed and was asked to ensure the body was removed. Our welfare officer visited the site to try and identify the ponies owner but the pony had no identifiable markings, it was obvious the body had been there for some time. It took a second phone call before the body was removed from the site.

Appearance of Herd Between Okehampton Camp & Belstone

SWEPs welfare officer went to check on a small herd of ponies that "appeared" in August, 2011, between Okehampton Camp and Belstone. The owner of these ponies is currently unknown, but our welfare officer is monitoring the herd along with a local commoner.

Mistletoe Joins the SWEP Team

Mistletoe has settled into the yard

Back in the autumn of 2011 SWEP was asked to help find homes for a local farmers herd, he had decided he could no longer keep them but he did not want them to end up going to the meat man. We managed to assist with the re homing of all but one. The one left was a very nervous filly who is now in SWEPs care, she will now be worked on at the rehabilitation yard until she is ready to be re homed, she has been named Mistletoe.

05/03/2012 : Mistletoe has settled into the rehabilitation yard. She is still a little nervous but she is slowly becoming braver, she will now approach certain people and allow them to stroke her nose a little. We will keep working with her and are confident she will become a confident young lady.

Grey Mare with Cough Update

The owner of the grey mare and coloured pony at Longash was asked to remove both ponies which he successfully did today. Whilst in the area our welfare officer was a little concerned about a man who was walking 15 dogs on his own across the Downs, only 5 of these dogs were on leads. It was reported to the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Officer.

Call Out to Two Ponies at Long Ash

SWEP received another call regarding the coughing pony at Long Ash and a coloured pony that looked "a funny shape", in the same area. Our welfare officer went to see the ponies for herself and noticed that the coughing grey mare seemed fine and was happily grazing with her foal. The coloured pony did have a swelling on its under belly but was happily grazing and walking with ease, keeping up with the herd. Our welfare officer spoke to the vet about the swelling, they recommended the pony be monitored. She then passed the advice onto the ponies owner who was also looking at the ponies.

Call Out to Coughing Pony at Long Ash

We received a call concerning a grey mare who was coughing and looked unwell at Long Ash. Our welfare officer spoke to the ponies owner who assured that he would check on the pony straight away, he reported back that he could not catch the pony but would keep an eye on her.

AHVLA Meeting

Two SWEP representatives attended an AHVLA meeting about the on going welfare of ponies on Bodmin Moor. There was a lot of positive feedback and less welfare reports. Animal Health vets are now carrying out regular stock counts and checks and our welfare officer has offered to help with these if it is required. All keepers of stock in the area have received a letter explaining the condition their stock needs to be kept in. There are to be speed restrictions introduced to the Pensilva Road to try and cut down the amount of RTCs. A letter from Bodmin Commoners Council will also go out in regards to not feeding the ponies on the Moor.