Abandoned mare and foal ‘saved in time for Christmas’

Front: Puffin Back: Snowbunting

(Image credit: Bransby Horses)

An abandoned mare and foal were “saved in time for Christmas” thanks to Bransby Horses.

Snow Bunting and her foal Puffin were spotted by Humberside Police officers, who contacted the charity with concerns that no one had visited the horses “for months”.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

Abandoned mare and foal ‘saved in time for Christmas’

A Bransby spokesman said that at the time another seven ponies were “often escaping” from the field where they were being illegally fly-grazed, but when Bransby field officer Kris Walker attended the field the others had been taken away before the team arrived.

“When I arrived there were just two in the field, a mare and foal. I was quite concerned about the foal, as he was very lethargic and depressed. I wasn’t sure if he was suckling either, so there was a concern that he might not even be Snow Bunting’s foal,” said Kris.

“I monitored them daily and it soon became clear they were on their own so we would need to do something if these ponies were going to have any chance of survival.”

Bransby worked with the police, RSPCA and a vet to obtain permission to take Snow Bunting and Puffin into their care. While this process was ongoing Kris continued to monitor the ponies.

Bransby welfare manager Rachel Jenkinson said: “We are very grateful to everyone who called us, ultimately saving the lives of these two lovely ponies who would not have lasted through the winter without help. They were both very thin, poor and in need of food and veterinary attention.”

Puffin, thought to be around six months old, now weighs just over 57kg and has “improved daily”.

“He is still very thin but now suckling from his mother,” said a Bransby spokesman, who added that Puffin and Snow Bunting are being treated for very high worm burdens and malnourishment, but it is “hoped that they will make a full recovery”.

“All efforts were made to trace an owner but as no one came forward to claim the ponies they have now been signed over into the care of Bransby Horses.”

You might also be interested in:

Abandoned pony found tied to gates on busy industrial estate

‘Inspirational’ mare rescued emaciated and pregnant takes on orphaned foal as well as her own