9 remarkable rescue horse recoveries [PICTURES]
We often take notice of the sad stories that we hear of horses being abandoned or mistreated, but it's not so often that we see the incredible work that the equine charities do to get these horses and ponies back on their feet
1. Faith
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: Redwings
Faith’s story:
“Faith was too weak to stand when she arrived at Redwings in 2013. She had been abandoned in a field and was found collapsed, in an extremely emaciated state, hours from death.
“Redwings’ nurses cared for Faith day and night while she was supported in an Anderson sling until she was strong enough to stand unaided. She was so hungry on arrival she even tried to eat the bucket her carers brought to her containing her dinner.
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“It was a long road to recovery for Faith, requiring many months of rehabilitation and gentle exercise until she reached a healthy weight and regained her strength. Faith is now healthy and happily living at the Redwings Oxhill centre in Warwickshire where visitors can’t help but be moved by her amazing recovery.”
2. Amigo
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: Redwings
Amigo’s story:
“Cob Amigo was found in 2011 by a member of the public. He had been abandoned on an old colliery site in Wakefield and when discovered was in a terrible condition. Amigo was suffering from severe damage to his skin, a result of photosensitivity caused by liver damage, and was so weak he was unable to stand unaided.
“The kind person who found Amigo managed to get him to her stable yard where she contacted the RSPCA who attended immediately with a local vet. Once he had received emergency treatment they approached Redwings to secure his future at the sanctuary where he could receive the ongoing specialist care he needed for his complex medical needs.
“Although Amigo sometimes still needs to wear a protective UV rug as his skin is still highly sensitive, he is fully recovered, his coat has grown back and he lives happily at Redwings’ Aylsham visitor centre in North Norfolk.”
3. Tilly
During treatment…
After treatment…
Charity: Redwings
Tilly’s story:
“Tilly arrived at Redwings in 2011 after being seriously injured in a road traffic accident, having strayed on to a road. She had suffered severe abrasions to her hind legs in the accident as a result of being dragged along by the vehicle; indeed, the muscles in her hind legs were worn down to the bone.
“Tilly was initially taken to a local vet for emergency treatment at which time it was unclear as to whether she would survive. Sadly, no owner came forward for Tilly, so Redwings were contacted to help with Tilly’s ongoing care and to secure her future at the sanctuary. Redwings’ vets carried out a complex skin graft.”
4. Rupert
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: World Horse Welfare
Rupert’s story:
“Rupert, a 13.2hh piebald three-year-old gelding, came into World Horse Welfare’s rescue and rehoming centre in Lancashire, Penny Farm, in January 2014 after he was found emaciated and abandoned in a field with several other horses in a similar state.
“Rupert has spent a long time recuperating but has thrived under the care and attention he has received at World Horse Welfare and he is now ready to be rehomed as a youngster to continue his education.
“Despite his terrible start in life, Rupert has a cheeky personality and a lot of love to give. He’s still growing so will need to wait a bit longer before starting any work, but we’re confident that he will continue to flourish and one day will be a fantastic ridden pony.”
5. Lucien
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: World Horse Welfare
Lucien’s story:
“Lucien, a 14.1hh bay four-year-old gelding, came into World Horse Welfare’s somerset rescue and rehoming centre, Glenda Spooner Farm, when he was barely 18 months old after being found abandoned with another young colt. Lucien was very underweight and lethargic with severely overgrown feet, but has since made an amazing recovery and is now unrecognisable from when he arrived.
“Lucien is a sweet tempered, friendly pony who is always willing to please and will grow into an adorable ridden pony with the right care and training. He is currently looking for a rehomer with experience of youngsters, or someone with a good knowledge of this to help them.”
6. Mavis
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: World Horse Welfare
Mavis’s story:
“Mavis, a 12.3hh piebald three-year-old mare, came into World Horse Welfare’s care two years ago as part of a group of cobs who were found emaciated and infested with lice. Mavis also suffered a mild bout of suspected grass sickness but thanks to lots of love and TLC she has made an amazing recovery.
“Mavis is a beautiful girl with a zest for life and has a lot of potential as a ridden or driven pony. Due to her poor start in life, she won’t be able to begin work properly until she’s at least five-years-old but she is still looking for an experienced home where she can continue her education in the meantime. Mavis is currently living at our Aberdeenshire rescue and rehoming centre, Belwade Farm.”
7. Buddy
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: Horse World
Buddy’s story:
“In January 2011 staff at HorseWorld worked around the clock to save the life of Buddy, a young cob who arrived at the charity’s welfare department weighing just a third of his ideal body weight. Now, four years later, he is fully recovered, fully grown and has finally found a family and a home to call his own.
“HorseWorld’s team of specialist trainers worked with the young pony to train him to be ridden so he could find a new home on the charity’s loan scheme where he would receive all the love and one-to-one attention he deserves.
“Buddy’s new loaner, Harriet Champion says: ‘I’m so excited to give Buddy a new home. He will be being ridden by my two nephews and niece where they can all grow up and learn together as a team. I’m looking forward to being able to give all the team at HorseWorld updates on how he’s doing after the bad start in life he had.’”
8. Poppy
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: Bransby Horses
Poppy’s story:
“We took in the lovely Poppy in April of this year. Poppy had a severe lice infestation that had left sores all over her skin. This in turn had led to large infected wounds all over her body that urgently needed medical attention. Poppy was given a full body clip shortly after arrival which has helped her skin to repair and allowed treatment to work more effectively. She has made giant leaps forward in her rehabilitation. After daily skin treatments, worming and a visit from the vet and farrier she is now looking and acting like a different pony.”
9. Ludo
On arrival…
After treatment…
Charity: Bransby Horses
Ludo’s story:
“Ludo ‘the little stallion’ came to the Herefordshire site in June last year along with two young mares and a foal. All four animals had been dumped on a farmer’s field and were in really poor condition. The farmer contacted us for help as he didn’t know where they’d come from or what to do with them. We attended with our vet who agreed that the animals needed to be removed on welfare grounds.
“All four animals recovered well and are now in excellent health. Ludo took longer to recover as he had a very heavy internal parasite burden which took a while to get under control. The team here (including the vets) took a shine to this brave little pony and his friends who were all so tolerant and well behaved with all of their treatments.”
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A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.