Orphaned thoroughbred foal returned to owner

An orphaned foal has been reunited with his owner after being weaned off his foster mare.

Last year H&H reported that thoroughbred Jerry was fostered by a rescued mare at World Horse Welfare year after his own dam died.

When Jerry’s mother died last August his owner contacted the National Foaling Bank to see if they could find him a surrogate mum.

But around the same time staff at World Horse Welfare’s recovery and rehabilitation centre at Belwade Farm in Aboyne were caring for Lightning, a grey Welsh Mountain pony whose own foal had just died.

Centre manager Eileen Gillen contacted the National Foaling Bank to see if Lightning might be able to help another foal and the two were paired together.

“The next day Jerry was brought to Belwade Farm and we all held our breath as he was carefully introduced to Lightning, but to our relief she took to him straight away,” said Ms Gillen.

“Despite her traumatic past she has been the most fantastic foster mum and when Jerry grew bigger than her, she used to lift her hind leg to allow him to suckle more easily.

“Jerry has now been weaned and the time has come to return him to his owner. We are so pleased that we were able to help and of course we are immensely proud of Lightning.”

Lightning arrived at World Horse Welfare in January 2009, after she and five other thin and lice-ridden ponies were found living amongst car batteries, broken wood and metal.

Staff hope that now Lightning’s job is done, she will soon be rehomed through the charity’s loan scheme.

Visit: www.worldhorsewelfare.org

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