Tears stain this page as we write the story of yet another horrific cruelty
and the death of one once beautiful pony. We only new him for ten days and
in that time he touched the hearts of all who met him. Tragically his
rescue came too late. An urgent call from a neighbour resulted in us
responding instantly as we always do. On arrival at the farm we were met
with a scene of horror for imprisoned in his stable was an emaciated 14hh
gelding. As we approached he looked expectantly towards us over his door
which was barricaded with concrete blocks. He was standing on wet concrete
and bisarly his droppings were swept into a pile at the rear of the stable.
The stable overlooked his field full of lush grass that he was not allowed
to eat. With pounding heart we realised we had to instigate an urgent
rescue mission.
The neighbour was persuaded to talk the owner into releasing the pony into
our care whereupon we immediately responded by returning back to the Centre
to collect the trailer. It was with huge relief that we were able to
release the pony from his black hole of cruelty. He snatched mouthfulls of
grass as we walked to the trailer and loaded instantly as if realising that,
at last, he was being released from prison.
On arrival he looked around expectantly greeting the other horses with calls
of joy; he had lived on his own for thirty years! Over the next ten days he
never stopped eating and was able to run out in the field enjoying the sun,
rain and wind in his long mane. For ten days we were able to watch his joy
and happiness greeting other ponies over the fence and having a companion,
Wendy, and ex-polo pony, with him. Initially he tended to stand in one
place in the field close to the entrance gate but gradually he began to trot
and canter ever further into other parts of the field and it was only a
couple of acres! Even within a week he visibly put on weight and gradually
began to respond to the love and care that he craved. No horse deserved the
terrible treatment that he had been put through.
On the 14th September we held our Open Day and visitors to the Centre were
able to see his progress and pamper him. However, tragically on the
following day he died in his field with his gentle companion, Wendy,
standing next to him.
It took one phone call to save this pony from dying alone in a dank, dark
prison with little food and no bed on which to lie. Even though he only had
ten days of real life it was worth it; he died in a happy environment
amongst friends. If you know of any cruelty or neglect don't hesitate to
ring us; no call is treated as trivial. Head of Welfare, ring Dinty 01424
892381.
Best wishes
Dinty Steains
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