Local charities unite to save wounded young pony

A young pony severely wounded in a stallion attack in the West Country has made a remarkable recovery thanks to equine charities working in partnership.

World Horse Welfare has been nursing two-year-old skewbald moorland gelding Dakota back to health since January, after his rescue early in the new year by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, with assistance from the RSPCA.

Jon Phipps, the World Horse Welfare Field Officer who attended Dakota’s rescue, said: “This case was a great example of how we work with other equine charities to achieve the best outcome for the horse, as Dakota’s injuries were some of the worst I’ve ever seen. As it turned out he had an amazing personality which made working with him a lot easier and I think we all developed a bit of a soft spot for him.”

The story began when the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s welfare team was alerted to reports of an equine in danger in a field in Devon and found the young pony bleeding badly with open bite wounds covering his whole body.

Leah Brock, Field Officer at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, was first on the scene. “When I saw Dakota, I wasn't entirely certain of the extent of his injuries, but I knew it was bad” she says. “He was extremely quiet, withdrawn and I knew we had to act fast because he didn’t appear to be coping well. He had a high temperature indicating a potential infection along with his visual injuries. I just knew we had to help. The evening was drawing in and he just looked so subdued, I was really concerned.

“Dakota was an absolute star patient, from assessing and loading him from his rescue site, travelling to the Sanctuary and being treated by the vets. On his arrival, we stayed with him and began to clean him to prepare him for examination. He was such a kind, gentle boy who just tolerated anything and I felt he knew we were going to help him. We all fell in love with Dakota.”

Several equine welfare charities in the UK work collaboratively to ensure rescued equines receive the essential care and support they need.

As The Mare and Foal Sanctuary was at full capacity at the time, World Horse Welfare was kindly able to offer Dakota a place in its care and he was moved to Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset to continue his treatment and rehabilitation.

Despite some visible scarring on his neck and body, Dakota has recovered well and has now secured a new home, where World Horse Welfare is confident, he will continue to thrive, with no lasting damage from his traumatic event.

Farm Manager Claire Dickie said: “Once Dakota’s injuries were healing well, the team at Glenda Spooner Farm managed his introduction to other horses extremely carefully to ensure interactions were calm and a positive experience for him.

“He has made a full recovery both physically and mentally, displaying normal and appropriate interactions with other horses, which is so important as a herd animal and critical to his mental and emotional health as well as his physical health.”

Leah Brock says the whole team at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is delighted Dakota is doing so well and is ready to move to his new home. “Seeing pictures of him now, nine months after the attack, makes me so proud to be able to do the job I do and I’m so proud of Dakota too. He fought hard to recover from his injuries and I feel thankful that The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and its supporters were able to play a part in that journey. I hope he continues to flourish in his new home and lives the happy life he deserves. It’s a great example of partnership welfare work at its best.”

You can find out more about the horses and ponies The Mare and Foal Sanctuary looks after at: www.mareandfoal.org