The moorland ponies over Christmas and New Year

Recently, I visited long ash and the areodrome area of the moorland and checked on the ponies, they were wondering about enjoying the sunshine,  with all this terrible weather at the moment I wanted to ensure all the foals were managing to maintain a good body condition.  I took some photos of the ponies I saw and they were all in very good condition, one had a slightly mucousy nose but I checked on her the following day and she was looking better.  One pregnant mare had slightly long front hooves so we will be keeping an eye on her and making sure she gets seen to if needed. The owner was contacted and he will be taking her off the moor once her foal is born to deal with her feet. Otherwise overall the 20+ ponies I saw were very happy munching away on the grass and bushes.

Here are some photos taken over Christmas and New year.

mmm warm and cosy

Now this bit of twig is something else

ooooo itchy itchy lip

Have you thought about re-homing a SWEP pony?

Jim- Bob

 

 

Have you thought about re-homing a SWEP pony?

Do you need a companion for your 4 legged friend?

SWEP looks for long term, loving loan homes for our ponies to go to once they are ready. Our ponies make great companions and they come in all different shapes, sizes and colours, each with their own character! 



Daniella



Spot



Our rehabilitation yard is currently at bursting point and we really need your help to find great homes for our ponies. If you can help us please contact loanpony@swep.org.uk or visit our Website at www.swep.org.uk 

Exeter Livestock centre sales 12/11/13

Our welfare officer attended Exeter livestock centre on 12th November 2013. There were 27 horses and ponies for sale, The top priced paid was £380 for a 7 year old bay gelding, while welsh mountain filly foals were selling for only £70. Most horses were left unsold returning back to their owners. No meat dealers were present and the sale went smoothly.

Horses and ponies were moved around the centre in a calm safe manor with minimal stress to the equines. Hay, water and bedding were provided for a few horses but not provided by all......

 Our welfare officer stayed until the end of the sale, assisting loading and ensuring that all horses and ponies were moved and handled correctly onto the transport.

Road Traffic Collisions

Ponies left for dead by drivers on Dartmoor.

 

Over the past few weeks, SWEP have seen a significant increase in the amount of Road Traffic Collision's involving ponies, foals and other livestock grazing the moorland.

SWEP have attended in the past two weeks far too many ponies which have been hit by a vehicle and left for dead on the side of the road, many of these ponies are not killed on impact and are left suffering.

One particular foal SWEP were called out to recently was a young (4 months), very stressed foal who was unable to get to his feet, he was in a lot of pain. Our welfare team attended straight away and got the foal veterinary attention immediately, unfortunately the foal was put to sleep as it had suffered severe spinal damage and was unable to walk, his suffering was unbearable and the foal would never have recovered.

SWEP are asking drivers to SLOW DOWN on moorland roads, be aware that now evenings are drawing in, animals will be wondering on the roads and extra care must be taken. Hitting an animal not only takes their life but could also take yours too!!

Please do not just drive on if you hit an animal, this could cause not only suffering to animals but also can cause further accidents. Please report anything you may see to:

Police: 101

South West Equine Protection Office ( 9 – 5 ) 01822 854823 OR our welfare officer Becky Treeby on: 07717311251

Late newborn foal...

Our welfare team received a call by a concerned member of the public. The lady who reported had been walking her dog along the moor in the Whitchurch area and noticed  very young foal who appeared to have just been born that day.  November is a very cold time to have new-born foals on the moorland and our weather conditions have been harsh.
Our welfare officer went out straight away to see the foal and ensure mum was taking good care of the foal, which she was.

On arrival the mare was being followed by a small chestnut stallion, our welfare officer encouraged the stallion to change direction and the mare and foal were able to seek comfort and shelter in the bracken and bushes. The pony and foal's owner was contacted, we have agreed to monitor the pony and take into consideration weather conditions over the next few weeks.

If you have any concerns about ponies on the moor please do let our welfare team know by calling the office on 01822854823 or alternatively you can call our welfare officer on 07717311251

Yet another Road Traffic Collision.........

On 05/11/2013 our welfare team were informed of a pony which had been hit by a car,  left on the side of the road on the Yelverton  to  Princetown road.  Our welfare officer attended the scene.

The spotty Stallion was approximately 2 years old, no herd visible in area. The pony had a obvious broken knee but no other visible injuries. I would assume a broken leg did not kill the pony outright so would have been left to suffer by whoever hit this poor pony.

If you see anyone hit a pony or any other livestock or you yourself hit a pony PLEASE call the police on 101 OR Our welfare Officer: 07717311251 OR  Dartmoor livestock protection officer

Truro Dispersal Sale

On Saturday 26th October 2013, Our welfare officer attended the Lodge & Thomas unreserved dispersal sale of 40 part bred or section D welsh cob horses and ponies.
The ponies and horses were the dispersal of the Arvorek stud, these included mares and foals, broodmares, ridden ponies and stallions.

On arrival our welfare officer Becky, introduced herself to the Auctioneer. The Auctioneer was welcoming and informed Becky that there were no animal welfare representatives at the sale. The sale was bankrupt stock from the stud and everything must sell. Lodge and Thomas do not usually do horse and pony sales and they assured me there would not be another.

The horses at the sale I have to say were very poor condition, very skinny, cracked hooves and generally looking withdrawn. However Lodge and Thomas did everything they could to move horses and ponies to and from the ring with minimal stress, however the metal gates clashing were startling a few younger ponies.  Stallions were extremely stressed, box walking franticly, rearing and calling to mares near by, however the stallions were separate from the mares and foals.

 

Water was provided at the start of the sale by Lodge and Thomas for all equines going through the sale. Bedding was down in all pens. Everything was sold to private homes and no meat dealers were present.  Our welfare officer watched the horses and ponies load onto their new homes trailers and off to their new homes.