An appeal has been launched after a group of therapy ponies were seriously injured in a dog attack earlier this month.
The ponies were in their field in Dunster, Somerset, when the attack took place and four required veterinary treatment for bite wounds.
Miniature Shetlands Twiglet and Sophie were the most severely injured.
Sophie had bite marks to both sides of her nose and chest, as well as injuries to her stomach, all of which required stitches or staples.
Twiglet sustained multiple bites across her chest and stomach, as well as her legs. One of her hind legs had a deep wound which required hospital treatment. Vets feared her tendon had been severed but thankfully the injury was less serious than it first appeared.
“We really thought we were going to lose her which would have been devastating,” said Michelle Craig, Head of Centre at Apex West, the charitable trust that keeps the ponies. “Twiglet is so sweet and gentle. She is the kindest pony I know and she is a favourite with our students who are shy and lacking in confidence. “
Gibbs, another miniature Shetland, had a large, deep bite on his stomach and Dartmoor hill pony Hazel also had a large bite on her stomach which required stitches. Youngster Winston, the biggest pony in the herd, avoided injury.
“Their progress is good and we have half term now so they get a complete rest,” Michelle told Your Horse. “We worry about the impact it will have on their emotional welfare so will monitor this closely over the coming months.”
Apex West is part of a charitable trust that caters for children who are unable to access full time education. It offers a range of subjects, but its focus is on our therapeutic work including forest and beach school, gardening, small animal care and equine therapy.
Avon and Somerset Police his appealing for information on the dog attack.
“We received a report that four ponies at a farm in Dunster, near Minehead, had been injured by a dog sometime between 6pm on Tuesday 7 October and 10am on Wednesday 8 October,” said a spokesperson for the force.
“We are appealing for members of the public to come forward. If you were in the area between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, saw the injured ponies or witnessed a dog out of control near them, we urge you to get in touch. You can do this by calling 101 and quoting reference 5225282406.”
