Two young mares rescued by World Horse Welfare have given birth to healthy foals this summer while in the charity’s care.
Petunia, who is three, and Dahlia, aged two, were rescued at the end of last year after being reported for straying in Kent.
“They’d been grazing on unsuitable forage on arable farmland, which made them ill and did a lot of damage to crops,” said World Horse Welfare field officer Rebecca Carter.
“With help from local people, the police, and a vet, the ponies were taken to safety at Hall Farm, where they could get the expert care they needed.”
World Horse Welfare discovered that both Petunia and Dahlia were pregnant when they were found, and the team at Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk has provided specialist care throughout their pregnancies.
New arrivals
Petunia gave birth to Lupin on Tuesday 2 June while Dahlia welcomed Leo on Friday 31 July. Both colts are healthy and doing well.
“Both these fillies are young to be raising a foal, but the real concern is that this is already Petunia’s second. She was rescued with a foal at foot – a filly named Tulip, who is now ready to find a home of her own – so at the age of three Petunia has just had her second foal,” said Sue Hodgkins, Hall Farm centre manager.
“Sadly, we do see young fillies like Petunia and Dahlia arriving in foal when uncontrolled breeding has been happening in a group of horses.
“At that age, they’ve still got a huge amount of growing and maturing to do themselves, and pregnancy places even more strain on them, especially if they haven’t been receiving the care and nutrition they need.”
Happy and healthy foals
Leo was smaller than a Labrador when he was born but is proving to be an inquisitive foal and both he and Lupin are thriving alongside their mums in the charity’s care.
“Lupin’s full of character and very striking – he’s already very popular with our visitors and I’m sure Leo will be too,” continued Sue.
“All horses deserve a good life from day one and having been born here in safety, Lupin and Leo will only ever know love and kindness. They will also receive all the expert care they need to set them up for success in life.”
Images © World Horse Welfare.
