A pair of Shetlands left in “agonising” pain and barely able to walk due to neglect, are now making excellent progress in charity care.
Mother-and-daughter, Ariel and Jewels, are recovering in the sanctuary of HorseWorld, after concerns about their welfare were reported to the RSPCA.
Ariel and Jewels were suffering from severely overgrown hooves, making walking almost impossible.
X-rays revealed both ponies had chronic laminitis, with significant rotation of the pedal bone in all four feet. The damage had developed over a prolonged period and was causing extreme pain.
“When the call and initial photos came in from the RSPCA, I knew we had to act fast,” said HorseWorld’s Equine Welfare Advisor, Meg Challinor, who was among the team that responded to the emergency call.
“Within 40 minutes we were onsite with the emergency vet. I knew immediately they had been suffering for a long time.
“Their hooves had grown so badly that the bones inside their feet had shifted. Their joints had begun to collapse.
“Every single step they took was clearly absolutely agonising. They needed to be removed immediately.”
Both ponies were also underweight and youngster Jewels had a deep indentation around her face where a headcollar had been left on for an extended period.
Upon arrival at HorseWorld, the charity’s welfare, veterinary and farrier teams carried out urgent assessments to determine whether recovery was possible and what treatment would be required.
Despite the severity of their condition, the ponies quickly revealed “bright, curious personalities and a strong will to recover”.
Today, Ariel and Jewels are making excellent progress thanks to ongoing specialist veterinary care, expert farriery, careful management and round-the-clock support from HorseWorld’s welfare team.
The pair will be among the horses and ponies meeting visitors at HorseWorld’s annual Horse Fest Open Day on Saturday 25 July.
The event offers an opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Bristol-based charity, enjoy demonstrations and activities, and learn more about HorseWorld’s work protecting vulnerable equines across the South West.
While Ariel and Jewels’ story has a happy ending, HorseWorld warns that they are far from an isolated case.
“Ariel and Jewels are just two of many horses who urgently need help each year,” added Meg. “Cases like theirs remind us why it is so important that we can act immediately when concerns are reported. Every horse deserves the chance of a safe, healthy future.”
More content from Your Horse
- Jump out of trot to test rider balance and build trust with this exercise from Piggy March
- Emily Cole has launched a new collection and dressage fans will love it!
- 5 things to bear in mind to achieve your solo hacking goals with a young or new horse or following a break
- How to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signs
