Features - Jul 02

Tremendous strides have been made on the Gelligaer and Merthyr Commons thanks to the outstanding input of the Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the combined efforts of the RSPCA and the owners of the Commons. Numbers of ponies on these commons have been greatly reduced, which obviously benefits those which remain, but the problems of poor husbandry, infestation with parasites, defects due to breeding and malnutrition still remain. As we have always known, the neglect of horses and ponies is certainly not only on Gelligaer and Merthyr Commons and in recent weeks we and the RSPCA have been involved with serious cases on both Tredegar and Llangynidr Mountains. Some of the worst cases that we have ever had to deal with have been taken into care from these areas. In one week we had to take in six while the RSPCA took two.
One of those which came to the Horse Hospital was so weak that when he lay down he had not the strength to get to his feet without help. He was in slings for more than a week, at the end of which time he had gained sufficient strength to get up on his own. It will be a long time before he is returned to full strength, but spring is not too far distant and we have every confidence that he will make a full recovery.

Great improvements have been made on Gelligaer, Merthyr and Tredegar Commons, with the help of Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the RSPCA. The whole operation has been a salutary lesson in the way in which co-operation between charities, and large numbers of helpers, can change the situation beyond recognition. A large number of ponies have been removed from the Commons, many grazing illegally, the rest welfare cases. Some of the worst welfare cases have been found on Cefn Golan, above Tredegar, and over a period of three weeks more than 15 animals had to be taken into care because of their seriously poor condition.
Among the worst were three colt foals, no more than five months old, which had obviously been in a shed as their coats were matted in muck. All three were completely emaciated, one so weak that he had difficulty getting up. An 18 month old cob colt, heavy boned but as weak as a kitten, went straight into one of our intensive care stables and it was twelve days before he was able to get to his feet without the help of the slings and pulleys. Also in pathetic order was a young mare with her last year’s foal still suckling her. The foal had a serious gut infection and the pitifully thin mare was full of worms and covered in lice. All are now making slow but steady progress. The future of hill grazing is still a concern, and we all hope that the Welsh Assembly will include hill ponies in their passport regulations. Welfare could be enormously improved if there was positive identification, In common with all the other horse welfare organisations our aim is to see true Welsh Mountain ponies being bred on the hills without the cross-breeding, lack of management and over stocking which results in the breeding of worthless foals.