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6 Horses from Newport August 2009

New intake. - 6 Horses from Newport - 31.08.09

On Bank Holiday Monday we were asked by the landowner to remove a mare and foal, a stallion, two colts and a filly from a patch of waste land adjacent to the A446 duel carriageway near Newport. The mare and foal and one of the colts were very thin and suffering from severe rainscald. All were passing live worms in their dung and their feet showed long-term neglect. With stalwart help from three Police Officers and six of our staff we managed to load them and bring them back to the Horse Hospital in three trailers.

The area from which we took the horses was deep in mud, with little to eat but briars and docks, with a few ragwort plants. A round bale of wet hay was festering with white mould, a serious risk of Botulism. The boundary fence was broken down in several places exposing the animals to the danger of finding themselves on the dual carriageway.

Once back at Coxstone the vet examined them and concluded that the mare and foal and the smallest of the colts were in such poor condition as to have been caused unnecessary suffering, a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Their condition was such that we had to exercise extreme care in introducing hard feed and starting a five-day worming course.

We are particularly pleased to be able to help these animals as we have been receiving reports about horses in a poor state on this land for many months and other welfare organisations have tried to remedy the situation without success. It's up to us now to see that the horses cannot go back to such dire conditions.

11.09.09  UPDATE

We are pleased to confirm that the owner was persuaded to sign over all the horses into our ownership, so there future is assured.  We now have the expensive and rewarding job to re-habilitate all 6 and to get them ready for re-homing.  Three will need to be gelded and given the time to mature and grow

08.05.10 UPDATE

Ralph was born on 08/05/10.  Definatly, Bruces' son he is  strapping colt who spends most of his time sleeping and eating.  Mertle has also proved her experience as a mother and is doing a fabulous job.