A tiny pony who “very nearly didn’t make it” after he was found unable to stand and struggling to breath has made a remarkable recovery.
World Horse Welfare field officer Charlotte Melvin found Pickle last year and he was rescued as part of a multi-agency operation, along with a number of other horses. He was taken for immediate treatment at a holding yard, where he was nursed back to health.
“As soon as I saw Pickle, I could tell he needed veterinary care urgently – he was really struggling to breathe. When he tried to stand as I walked up to him, he just couldn’t get up,” said Ms Melvin.
“He tested positive for multiple illnesses, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, and was so weak that he kept collapsing.”
Video below shows Pickle when he was found
She added: “The team worked so hard to nurse him back to health and his vet said she’s never known a pony test positive for salmonella as many times as he did. He very nearly didn’t make it, but eventually turned a corner and started to recover.”
He was signed over to the charity and once he was well enough, he travelled to World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire.
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“I went and collected him with one of my colleagues and it was just incredible to see how bright he’d become. The contrast from that tiny foal who was too weak to stand and could barely breathe was extraordinary,” said Ms Melvin.
Watch Pickle enjoying time in the field
The little pony is so tiny that the World Horse Welfare team struggled to find a headcollar small enough, but the charity’s corporate partners LeMieux came through with one in “super mini” size.
“At a year old, Pickle is still only a teeny seven hands high (28 inches) so it’s no surprise that our visitors fall in love with him as soon as they set eyes on him. He’s both extremely cute and a really lovely character,” said Penny Farm centre manager, Adam Cummins.
“There’s going to be a long list of people wanting to rehome him when he’s ready – but that’s a long way off yet. For now, he’s enjoying being a happy young pony playing with his friends – he’s got a lot of fun to catch up on after being so ill at such a young age.”
Pickle has recovered well and is stealing visitors’ hearts at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
