A pregnant emaciated mare who was so weak when she was rescued that her foal was tragically stillborn a few weeks later, is on the road to recovery at World Horse Welfare’s Lancashire rescue and rehoming centre.
Concerned members of the public alerted World Horse Welfare to Jean’s plight in August. The coloured mare, who was underweight and had overgrown hooves and painful sores on her neck, was living in a field full of poisonous ragwort.
“When I first saw Jean, she was in a shocking state,” said Rebecca Carter, World Horse Welfare’s field officer.
“She was clearly pregnant, but very underweight and suffering from a painful skin condition caused by ragwort poisoning. She desperately needed help.”
Rescued
Rebecca enlisted the help of a vet, the RSPCA and police and Jean was taken to World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre near Blackpool.
“We couldn’t believe how thin Jean was when she arrived,” said farm manager Adam Cummins.
“Given the advanced stage of her pregnancy, we knew she needed to gain as much strength as possible, but we had to be very careful, as too much food too soon can make emaciated horses really unwell.
“Tragically, despite our best efforts and every attention from our vets, it was too late and Jean’s foal was stillborn just a few weeks after arriving at the farm.”
New chapter
Notices were placed at the field where Jean was found but no owner came forward so she has been signed over to the charity.
Jean is receiving expert care and is recovering well. It is hoped she will be able to be rehomed in the future.
Images © World Horse Welfare.
