Burnt and abandoned: eight ponies find new life

Suffering, scarred and scared

We were alerted to the suffering of the eight ponies through concerns raised by World Horse Welfare, and upon arrival found a heartbreaking scene. After grazing on toxic plants, three ponies had extensive facial lesions covering their muzzles and encircling both eyes, with raised crusting lesions all over their bodies. The other five ponies had less severe lesions to their muzzles, but all suffered from burns caused by the plant St John’s Wort, and appeared depressed and despondent.

A long road to recovery

Following their rescue, the ponies were taken to our private boarding establishments for intensive rehabilitation and care. After successful treatment and care, the ponies were gradually rehomed through our Wildlife Centres. 

The prosecution of their owner was also a success. Pleading guilty to two animal welfare offences, the owner has been banned from keeping equines for ten years. He was also ordered to carry out 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days (as part of a community sentence, requiring the owner to participate in rehabilitative activities) and pay £750 costs.

Stable, safe and settled

The herd have since found their forever homes. Mozart, one of the ponies, was rehomed through RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre. 

Charlotte Neary, Yard Supervisor at the centre, shared: “Mozart was only at Millbrook for a short time as he was such a sweet character that once he had been assessed and had vet checks he went up for rehoming and was chosen very quickly.”

Mozart’s new owner describes him as “a dream”:

“My little boy calls him his best friend. He really has the best cheeky little character.”

Another of the ponies, Baloo, was rehomed from our Felledge Animal Centre. 

Rachael Duffy, Felledge’s Equine Centre Deputy Manager, said: “When Baloo was with us she was always a happy, fun pony to deal with. She had lots of confidence and would be the first at the gate to greet you, thoroughly enjoying her grooming and handling session.”

Baloo’s new owner agrees: “She’s settled in great. We’ve just started bringing her into work and she loves having a job to do. She’s very good with my little ones and gets lots of cuddles and attention from them. My 9 year old brings her in from the field now also and she’s great with her.”

That’s eight ponies in good homes (unfortunately, they’re not neigh-bours).

And this wouldn’t be possible without you. We’re the only charity that rescues, cares for, rehabilitates, rehomes, and releases animals in need from neglect and cruelty throughout England and Wales. But we wouldn’t exist without public donations and the support of animal lovers like you. 

You help us ensure that animals like Mozart, Baloo and their buddies, can live safe and stable lives.