A tiny pony dumped emaciated, alone and “utterly exhausted” has “light back in her eyes” as she continues to make progress towards health, her rescuers said.
The coloured mare was “fighting for survival” in the days after her rescue, the charity said at the time. She was very underweight, with a significant lice infestation and skin issues, and needed round-the-clock veterinary care.
“In my many years at The Horse Trust I have never seen such an utterly exhausted pony arrive into our care,” charity chief executive Jeanette Allen told H&H.
“Annie has taken full hold of our hearts and every day she is with us feels like a win. She’s still very frail but the light is back in her eyes and we will continue to do all we can to give her the best possible chance at a happy, healthy life.”
A spokesperson for the charity told H&H Annie has tested negative for strangles and has managed to get up unassisted a couple of times. She is still very underweight and suffering from the lice infestation and skin issues, which are being treated.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
“Recent care has included clipping and medicated bathing to treat sores and improve her comfort,” the spokesperson said. “While she appeared to enjoy this, it also highlighted just how fragile she still is.”
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The spokesperson said the team is hugely grateful for the response of the public to Annie’s plight; over £20,000 has so far been raised towards her care.
“Although she still has a long way to go, her recovery is moving in a positive direction and the team are encouraged by her progress,” she added.
“We are so grateful for the thousands of people who have taken Annie into their hearts as well and are supporting her extremely tough journey,” Ms Allen said.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
