Foal dumped with infected and gaping neck wound
A foal, who was abandoned with a gaping neck wound, is being treated at Redwings.
The piebald pony, who staff have named Simon, is thought to be less than six months old and was reported to the RSPCA by residents of a council-owned traveller site in Long Lane, Orsett, Essex.
The charity believes his wound was caused by an untreated bite or injury.
“Simon’s neck wound was badly infected and no doubt very painful,” said Redwings field officer Jo Franklin.
“He is only a few months old, and this must have been a very traumatic experience for him.
“The residents of the site had done a great job of keeping him safe and warm until we were able to get there.
“Simon will receive treatment at our centre and then — if his owners do not come forward — will be given a home at Redwings for life and may be re-homed through our Guardianship Scheme once he is old enough.”
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The RSPCA is trying to locate Simon’s owners. Anyone with information should ring 0300 1234 999.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.