Update on the Caerphilly Rescue

Posted on April 18, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

Morgan and Gwyneth from the Caerphilly rescue are both putting weight on.

Morgan looks a bit threadbare at the moment due to the masses of lice he had but seems to be the sweetest little horse. He has had his feet trimmed without batting an eyelid and is now living out 24/7, as he is still entire he has to stay in a little paddock until he’s strong enough to join Buddys group. He is currently 14.1hh but as he’s only 2 years he will probably get a bit bigger.

Gwyneth is putting condition on nicely but is still very nervous and tense, not surprising as we think she’s never had any proper handling before. Now she is a bit stronger we have started leg handing training so she can have her feet trimmed. She is also living out 24/7 now with another rescued mare Ophelia.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Buddy finds a friend

Posted on April 11, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

Rescued pony Buddy is now strong enough to go out in the field with a friend and play the rough boys games that young lads love so much. A young Cob like Buddy should weigh between 280-300kg, Buddy came to HorseWorld in January weighing just 108kg. He had to have six blood transfusions and a drip before he could stand and had to be physically lifted to his feet by the grooms every two hours day and night for the first three weeks. He now weighs almost 200kg and is feeling much better.

Now that Buddy is feeling stronger and finding his own feet, he was becoming a handful to lead and even managed to break free and run off down the track to the field bucking and feeling rather pleased with himself!

The HorseWorld Grooms decided this week that Buddy was now strong enough to cope with going out in a field with a friend and using up his excess energy playing rather than being naughty.

Romeo is a young pony who loves to play but doesn’t have a nasty bone in his body. The two boys are having a whale of a time together. We hope that Buddy will continue to improve and flourish as the spring grass comes through.

You can read Buddy’s original story and watch his video on our news page.

Buddy is on the road to recovery but sadly there are many more like him who desperately need our help. Buddy’s Hope Appeal was set up to raise funds to allow many more neglected horses to be as fortunate as Buddy. To donate, visit our Just Giving Page

Posted in Buddy's Hope Appeal, Rehabilitate, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

‘Falling’ Training by Hattie Abretti

Posted on April 7, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

When we were first told about the upcoming ‘Falling Off Training’, all of the grooms found it hilarious. When the jokes subsided, we realised that it may be wise to learn some techniques to attempt to prevent injury occurring during a fall – especially seeing as some of us manage to fall off quite a lot!! For me personally I felt it would be beneficial as I already have a damaged vertebrae due to a previous fall, which, combined with a slightly temperamental youngster, means falling off again is quite likely and could be very serious.

Neil, the Break Fall Technique instructor, had a history of martial arts training combined with riding. He was really good at getting us all to relax and have a good giggle at each other rolling around on the floor! To begin with we learned a rolling technique from a crouched position, the idea is to roll over one shoulder in order to disperse the impact and protect more delicate body parts. Once we had all got the hang of that we tried from a standing a position and then progressed to throwing ourselves over poles on the floor and the grand finale – over a jump! Training Groom Kayleigh was by far the most adventurous and went over the top height jump in fine style!!

Although we all had a fantastic time and a great giggle, there was a serious note to the training as these techniques could help to prevent severe injuries by spreading the impact of the fall and transferring energy. I think the term ‘practice makes perfect’ is very apt here and we would all need to continue to practice the rolls in order to make them second nature so that we would remember to use them when we would need them! However…practice is not without pain. An hour and a half throwing yourself on the ground does leave you fairly bruised and achy!!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ponies in Love, Melody and Chilli

Posted on April 5, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

Melody and Chilli are two, very pretty, Welsh Section A ponies that have recently come to live at HorseWorld’s Visitor Centre. Melody was rescued from the slaughterhouse and came to HorseWorld in August 2008 whilst Chilli arrived as a youngster in January 2002 through an RSPCA rescue. Both ponies went on to be fantastic child’s ponies and went out on loan homes where they took part in all sort of pony club activities.

Unfortunately both of ‘the Twins’, as the Visitor Centre grooms have nicknamed them, have had to return from their respective loan homes and retire from ridden work; Melody as she has developed kissing spines and Chilli due to a displaced soft palette that can affect her breathing when exercised.

Their romance began when they returned to HorseWorld’s welfare department and were turned out together. They instantly bonded and became best friends, rarely taking much notice of the rest of the herd! Following this they were re-homed together as companions on a lovely home where they became virtually inseparable. Melody hates to let Chili out of her sight and now that they have moved to the Visitor Centre they have to be kept in neighboring stables and be turned out together in the field. Their relationship is very much like that of sisters, they are very protective of each other and Chilli is very much the cheeky, naughty little sister that has to be kept in check by Melody!

HorseWorld hopes that one day Melody and Chilli will find another loving home to live out the rest of their days together.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rescued Bodmin ponies are doing well

Posted on March 28, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

HorseWorld recently took part in a rescue alongside Redwings Horse Sanctuary to rescue a group of ponies from Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. In total 19 ponies were rescued, most have gone on to Redwings Horse Sanctuary but 2 of these little ponies are staying at HorseWorld. Rhona, pictured, is one of these ponies.

She is looking much better in the photo as she has now put some weight on (she was very underweight on arrival). She was too nervous for us to really examine but she has a horrific lice infestation which means she has bald patches. She will now let me scratch her and put a head collar on and she had her first lead round the yard yesterday, at least she has now had the lice treatment which should make her feel better. Hopefully next week she will be ok for the vet to check her over and we can find out for definite if she’s pregnant as she has a bit of a round belly.

More can be read about the Bodmin rescue on our news page

By Sarah Hollister (HorseWorld Groom)

Posted in Rescue, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

In memory of Clive Burrow

Posted on March 23, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk
On 18th March Alan Byrom and Roy Hilliar of Kingswood Writers Ink-Corporated visited HorseWorld to make a donation in memory of Clive Burrow, a member of their group and loyal HorseWorld supporter. Clive’s wife Mandy also visited with Roy and Alan. They presented a cheque for £60 collected by members of the writers group which will go to help rescued animals have a happier life which was something that was important to Clive.

Alan Byrom (left), Mandy Burrow (holding the cheque) HorseWorld Groom, Kirstie Smith (Looking at Seth the horse) and Roy Hilliar (Right)

A quiet moment was taken to remember Clive in which Roy recited a beautiful poem he had written for him.

Clive’s Bridleway

No matter if truth or fantasy,

I saw Clive ride a galloping grey.

 

Unrestrained by dry stone walls

Or hedgerows of Hawthorn and Sloe,

He rode towards mountains and moors.

 

Striving to keep with the rider in front

An ungainly leap of a fallen trunk,

A wayward stirrup caught with a toe,

A wobble and backside shift in the saddle,

A woodpecker’s laugh, a blackbirds cry,

The thud of hooves, the shouts of joy,

His streaming hair and excited ‘yes’,

At others endeavours and success.

 

Now, two are one in rhythm and trust.

Higher than swallow and swift Clive soars,

Riding the freeway of planets and stars.

 

In memory of Clive Burrow, a member of Kingswood Writers and supporter of HorseWorld who sadly died on 17th December 2010.

Posted in Fundraising Stories, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Meeting Monty Roberts by Hattie Abretti

Posted on March 22, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

HorseWorld Groom, Hattie Abretti

Recently I was lucky enough to meet two of my ‘horsey’ idols and a famous face!

Monty Roberts and his team were in Bristol doing a demo at The Hand equestrian centre and very kindly said that we at HorseWorld could bring along one of our rescue ponies for possible selection to be used in the demo. So two of the training and welfare team brought along Cricket, a small welsh pony that had a terrible start in life, and lucky me managed to sneak in as ‘official HorseWorld photographer’!!

Monty Roberts, Kelly Marks and Martin Clunes with Martin's Clydesdale yearling

We arrived at lunchtime and got the pony settled before we sat down for a chat with Monty about the horses and what would happen over the course of the day. Rosie Jones, one of Monty’s Recommended Associates, worked all of the horses that were brought for selection in the round pen for 5 – 10 minutes so that the team could check that they were sound and see how they reacted to the pen and methods. Luckily Monty and Kelly Marks decided that our little Cricket would be suitable for the loading section of the demo and that Kelly would work with him!

During the afternoon one of the horses that didn’t make it through to the demo was worked with so that the owners hadn’t had a wasted trip and we managed to get some photos with Monty and Kelly and even the guest star of the evening Martin Clunes who had brought two gorgeous 11 month old Clydesdales for Monty to work with.

The evening demo was fantastic and really interesting to watch with problems ranging from a head shy horse to little Cricket learning to load. Cricket did us proud and definitely had the cute vote! He did play up a little going into the trailer but Kelly was really reassuring and gentle with him and soon had him walking happily in and out. One of the highlights was both Monty and Martin Clunes riding the stunning and incredibly talented western horse Jays Master Copy, owned by the Mendip Stud, who showed of some rather fantastic western spins!

We all had an incredible day and it was a wonderful treat to be able to see the experts at work ‘in the flesh’!  Big, big thank you to Monty and Kelly and the rest of the IH team for putting on such a wonderful day.

Posted in Rehabilitate, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Phoenix’s rehabilitation

Posted on March 3, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

Phoenix was found abandoned when he was only a year old. He was standing next to the dead body of his mother who had been left to starve in the field. This poor youngster had only ever known hunger and neglect. Now pining over the loss of his mother, he was left malnourished and terrified of everything.

When Phoenix first arrived at HorseWorld he was terrified of everything, especially the farrier and the vet which was a really big problem considering the treatment he would require following his poor start in life. Phoenix had difficulty trusting people and would also only allow certain members of staff to handle him. It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain his health and well-being so an extensive training programme was devised to help build Phoenix’s confidence and overcome his trust issues.

After plenty of training in basic handling and gradually getting used to anything scary, Phoenix is growing into a much more confident horse that is beginning to relax and enjoy life. Now at almost four years old, Phoenix has even started to learn how to become a riding horse. Kayleigh Macleod, one of Phoenix’s trainers proudly explains “He has now accepted his first rider and is proving a huge success. It’s amazing to think of the progress he has made. This scared youngster has blossomed into a happy and confident riding horse. He even went for a hack through a lane that was flooded knee deep last week and had complete trust in his rider. He is going to make somebody a great  riding horse as he has bags of character and being nearly 4 has his entire life to grow and become great friends with his new loaner.” For more information on HorseWorld’s re-homing scheme please visit http://www.horseworld.org.uk/rehome_a_horse

Phoenix’s life was saved thanks to your donations. You have helped to nurse him back to health and completely turn his life around so that he can now have a happy and fulfilling future. If you would like to make a donation to help many more horses like Phoenix, please call Debbie Legge on 01275 893020 or visit www.justgiving.com/horseworld

Posted in Rehabilitate, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Solo finds a home!

Posted on March 3, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

Every horse that arrives at HorseWorld has a different story, many have experienced neglect or mistreatment whilst others have come from loving families whose financial circumstances mean they can no longer care for them. Whatever their story HorseWorld aims, wherever possible, to find them loving new homes where they will have one-to-one love and attention. Three companion animals were rehomed within the first two weeks of 2011, a galloping start to the New Year! One of these companion ponies was a 13 year old Shetland called Solo.

Solo came to HorseWorld in 2008 and was suffering from a painful condition called Laminitis which meant that her feet were so sore she couldn’t even walk properly. Shetland ponies need their grazing to be strictly monitored and restricted even when they are healthy but this is all the more important for a laminitic pony.

Solo’s laminitis had reached a stage where the bone inside her hoof had begun to rotate and drop which is extremely painful. Her owners felt they could no longer cope with her condition and that Solo needed specialist care.

 

After a long slow process of specialist hoof trimming and a carefully monitored diet plan we were able to bring Solo’s Laminitis under control and make she comfortable and happy enough to be ready to start looking for a new loan home.

HorseWorld Groom, Kayleigh Macleod tells us about Solo. “She is one of the cutest and sweetest Shetlands you will ever come across. She absolutely loves fuss and attention but don’t be fooled, she is still a cheeky Shetland and will give you the run around when she doesn’t want to be caught!”

Solo has recently found a lovely home with a lady who is absolutely besotted with her and likes nothing more than spending time grooming and loving our little Solo. This will be a perfect home for Solo as she cannot be ridden due to her condition and needs someone who can carry on with her strict management schedule.

We are very pleased that Solo has finally reached a stage where she can be rehomed and we wish her the best of luck as she begins her new life in a loving family of her own.

HorseWorld supporters make it possible for rescued horses and ponies to have a second chance of a happy life in a loving new loan home. If you would like to make a donation, please call Debbie Legge on 01275 893020 or visit www.justgiving.com/horseworld

Posted in Rehome, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Abandoned & Starving

Posted on March 1, 2011 by amy.punter@horseworld.org.uk

HorseWorld often works closely with the RSPCA to assist in rescues of horses and ponies that are part of cruelty and neglect cases. The experience of HorseWorld’s specialist equine rescue team means that rescues are carried out safely and effectively thus reducing any potential stress for the animals.

Here, HorseWorld Husbandry Groom Sarah Hollister describes a call from the RSPCA to assist in the rescue of four ponies that were part of an ongoing neglect case.

In Late November we were asked by the RSPCA to collect four ponies that were part of an ongoing neglect case in which one pony had already died and another had to be euthanised due to the severe levels of neglect that it had suffered. When we arrived at the scene we were shocked to see the conditions that the ponies were being kept in – the yard, which can best be described as a scrap yard, was strewn with broken glass, metal, wire meshing, gas bottles and piles of manure. The only shelter available to the ponies was a ramshackle stable that had holes in both the roof and walls meaning that it offered next to no protection from the fierce winds and rain.

The group consisted of two Shetland Mares, who we have now named Tipsy and Treacle, one Shetland colt who we called Luigi and a larger colt now called Mario. Of the four ponies Mario was in the worst condition and was severely emaciated; all four were very nervous of people and it was clear that they’d had some rough handling in the past.

Our team sprang into action and working quietly and calmly we managed to gain their trust enough to lead them onto our lorry – despite being in quite poor condition they still managed to give us a bit of a run around.

Upon arrival our vet examined all four ponies and we soon discovered that Treacle was pregnant and is due to give birth to her foal in the spring. The two young colts needed intensive care for the first few days as they were both suffering with a large worm burden which was causing them to be in a lot of pain. With such underweight animals it is very important to keep them hydrated and give the correct dosage of medication; thankfully we now have a weighbridge at our isolation unit which allows us to be completely accurate.

The ponies have all come on well and are now receiving some basic training for handling. Treacle and Tipsy (so called because of the white tips on her ears) now live with some of our smaller mares whilst Luigi and Mario have joined our ever increasing group of youngsters waiting to be castrated. They have great fun charging around the field together before going for a lie down in their barn once they have exhausted themselves!

With the extreme weather conditions we experienced over Christmas it doesn’t bear thinking about what would have happened to these beautiful ponies if HorseWorld hadn’t been there to rescue them. This is why our wonderful supporters are so vital to HorseWorld; it is their donations that make our work possible and allow us to continue saving lives.

If you would like to make a donation that helps HorseWorld to rescue more horses and ponies in need, please call Debbie Legge on 01275 893020 or visit www.justgiving.com/horseworld

Posted in Rescue, Uncategorized | Leave a comment