SWEP received a call about a pony at Warren Cross, near Tavistock, that was showing signs of colic. When our welfare officer arrived the coloured mare was up and grazing. She called the ponies owner who said he would monitor his mare, he informed her that many of the mares in the area were aborting foals and was unsure as to why. We contacted our vet for advice and they said it could be down to an out break of Herpes virus with in the herd. Symptoms of the virus are nasal discharge, strained gait, weakness in the hind legs, coughing and miscarriage in mares. SWEP will keep an eye on the area and assist the farmers in any way they can.
On passing another farmer informed our welfare officer that a lot of garden waste has been dumped in the area, grass cuttings are particularly dangerous to horses and ponies and can cause severe colic and death.
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