Pony With Leg Stuck In Trees

On our way back picking up some milk our welfare assistant, along with three staff members, received a call from a horse rider saying her and her companions had come across a pony with its leg wedged between two trees, it had fallen over and the leg looked broken or close to breaking. We were on the scene in seconds!!

The pony's leg was wedged tight between these two trees

After release

It was obvious this was an emergency situation and thanks to the quick thinking of these riders and then the quick, calm and professional actions of the attending staff the pony was soon released and luckily intact. The leg was indeed stuck fast and the pony was extremely distressed, we honestly thought she would break her leg, however she didn't and although a little lame she eventually walked away as if nothing had happened!!

The pony's owner was informed and was soon on the scene to assess the pony, it was agreed she would be happier left with her herd and her owner would check on her later in the day and again over the following days to ensure no serious damage was inflicted.
 

Thin Ponies on Yeoland Down

It was bought to our attention that there were some very thin looking ponies on Yeoland Down, our welfare assistant went to check on them. There was a group of five ponies that were, indeed, thin. Two were worse than the others, however the ponies were eating hay that had been left out. 

On further investigation the owner of these ponies was established, these ponies are being fed on a daily basis and due to them being very close to our rehabilitation yard we are able to monitor them daily.

We are hoping that they will start putting on weight once the spring growth starts and if they lose further condition we will be able to liaise with the owner to have them removed.

Suspected Abandoned Ponies on Davidstow Airfield

On Monday 18th March we received a call from an RSPCA inspector asking if we could assist with the rescue of 5 ponies that had been abandoned on Davidstow Airfield. All the ponies were in very poor condition and the area they were abandoned on was not capable of sustaining them if they were left there. It was agreed by the RSPCA, a DEFRA vet and the Police that if left these ponies would suffer and eventually die. There was a sixth pony, however it had been hit by a car on Monday and subsequently needed to be put to sleep.

By the time our staff arrived the ponies had been officially seized, with the help of the Police, DEFRA vet and the RSPCA inspector the ponies were herded onto two trailers and taken to our rehabilitation yard. They were left overnight at the yard with access to a warm, straw filled stable, fresh hay and water and allowed to settle.

The following morning our vet visited the ponies to check them over, two were given a body score of 1, one was given a body score of 2 and the youngest filly was given a score of 3. The young filly was still feeding from its mother so was in acceptable condition. Although wild all the ponies were listless and approachable, it is highly likely the three older mares are pregnant.

These ponies will now be slowly fed up to help them gain weight, they have been wormed and they will receive check ups from our vet. Their feet were very poor, so we will very slowly work with them so we can eventually right these problems.

Long Ash Trough

We have recieved a number of calls in regards to the water trough near Long Ash as it is currently out of order. The commoners are aware of the situation and have assured us the issue will be resolved shortly, however the ponies do have access to the river and will go to it to drink on their "rounds"

Mare with Colic near Long Ash

Our welfare Officer was called out to a mare with suspected colic near Long Ash. On arrival the mare was tucked up and looked uncomfortable. She was easily identified by her ear notches and her owner was contacted. He assured us he would deal with the pony asap, we will check on her over the next few days.

Suspected RTC near Great Gimble, Cornwall

We received a call from an extremely worried lady who had come across a pony down and having difficulty getting up on the side of the road near Great Gimble. The pony was thin and listless and allowed the lady to look at it's gums, which were pale. When the pony did manage to stand it quickly collapsed again.

The caller stayed with the pony whilst our welfare assistant made some phone calls in order to get the pony seen to as soon as possible, it was obvious by the callers information that the pony was suffering and was extremely unwell.

Very quickly the on call DEFRA animal health vet was on the scene and after a quick assessment came to the conclusion that the pony had been hit by a vehicle and was probably suffering internal injuries. The pony was put to sleep on the scene to prevent further suffering.