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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