THE SWHP RESCUE 6 THOROUGHBRED MARES AND FILLY'S

On Sunday 20th January this charity (The Society for The Welfare of Horses and Ponies) took into our care six Thoroughbreds 4 of which are registered, from an establishment where a seven month foal had died of neglect the night before.  The owner had been offered help over a period of more than eight months but had refused all offers of assistance, this despite the fact that having been a former RSPCA Market Inspector he would have been well aware of the fact he was causing unnecessary suffering.

                                              

Fortunately he was persuaded to sign ownership of the animals over to us here at the Horse Hospital and it is sincerely hoped that with dedicated nursing they will make a recovery. Of critical importance are the two in foal mares. The condition of all six is such that they are extremely thin, two are emaciated, all have lice, a heavy worm burden is evident even before worming and they are coated in their own excrement.

We have started a worming programme for each of the horses and they are all tucking into 4 feeds a day and ad lib hay.  We are now full to the brim at Coxstone and everyone is working really hard, giving all the horses and ponies here the care and attention they all need.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF THE HORSES -  PLEASE BE WARNED YOU MAY FIND SOME PICTURES DISTRESSING

UPDATE : 29.01.08 - Our Horse Dentist has been to check all of the horses teeth, The four older horses needed some work and had really sharp teeth, one of the horses teeth were as sharp as needles.  The biggest surprise, and not a good one, is  that Bow the 8 month old filly has the most severe parrot mouth we and the horse dentist has seen.  She will probably need a serious and very expensive operation to try and put it right - we are waiting to hear what the vet advises.  We are also about to start the process of cleaning their coats, which will have to be tackled carefully and will take some time.

                                                           

This is a picture of the 'Bows' front teeth showing her parrot mouth.  This is a disorder where, in this case, the teeth of the upper jaw project beyond those of the lower one making it difficult to eat.

UPDATE: 31.01.08 - The horses have all started to settle now, their coats have been cleaned, and  we are about to start their 2nd stage of worming this wormer will be for tapeworm.  We have been advised that one of the mares, Napier Star, was at stud and covered on 28.04.07 and her foal is due at the end of March this year. 

UPDATE: 12.02.08 - All of the six thoroughbreds have completed their worming programme and are now allowed out in the fields to graze.  They are certainly enjoying the wonderful sunny days that we have been experiencing recently and are all starting to pick up. They are keeping all the staff very busy looking after them and all the other horses and ponies at Coxstone.