Latest News

Summer is Here...Hooray!!!

Hooray from the horses and ponies too who are enjoying the warm weather (despite those pesky flies...There's a lot that's been happening since the last web update so please read on. We will endeavour to have monthly updates going forward...time permitting.

                      *                 *                *                  *                   *

PADDY ABANDONED ON A RUBBISH TIP!

Paddy, a teenage Shetland pony stallion came into the centre in February. He was found abandoned on a tether to fend for himself on what can only be described as a rubbish dump (see picture below) after his owners were evicted from the site 3 months previously.

He had bleeding sores from lice infestation, he was undernourished due to worm burden and lack of food, he was also lame due to overgrown hooves and had a nasal discharge and swellings behind his ears due to the tight head-collar he was tethered with.

But after several weeks of TLC and rehabilitation, Paddy turned out to be a fabulous and friendly pony, a real favourite at the centre and has recently been re-homed locally under our fostering scheme as a companion.

Photo of Paddy where he had been abandoned

Paddy’s story has a happy ending, but there are hundreds of ponies like Paddy whose lives of misery and suffering continue every day. Please help us to help more ponies like Paddy.

                      *                 *                *                  *                   *

HAPPY NEW HOMES FOR OLD FAVOURITES ...

William came back to the centre from his foster home at Hinckley Equestrian Centre where he has been everyone's favourite pony for the last few years. He's fifteen year's old now but it doesn't seem that long ago when we rescued him as a foal and he was fighting for his life. He is just the best !!! I'm happy to tell you that he has now gone to live locally in his new foster home with one of the carers that cares for the horses at our Centre. We wish you a happy future, William.

Twiggy, the 14.1hh New Forest Mare that was rescued back in 2001 has now found a new foster home where she is hacking out on bridle paths and roads around the village with her new foster-carer. She is getting used to the traffic, although the lorries are still a bit scary!!!  Many thanks to Amy and Michelle at Hinckley Equestrian Centre for their help with schooling Cherry ready for her to be rehomed.  

TOOTH TROUBLE FOR TOSCA

Tosca  is now 31 years old. He has returned from his foster home to The Horse's Voice where he will spend the rest of his days in comfort with freedom to roam. He had extensive dental work on 7th July as he was having difficulty eating and was losing weight and condition. It is an anxious time for everyone but he pulled through the anasthetic and we now hope that he will gain weight and condition. We have brought him a brand new fly sheet to make sure he is comfortable and can spend time grazing without being pestered by flies. Watch this space for updates on his condition.

BATHING BEAUTY...

Summertime means bathtime for our residents and the first of the season was Poppy as she suffers from sweet itch and has to be protected from the flies that cause her to suffer from this allergy. When she was rescued and brought to the centre she was covered from head to foot in weeping sores caused by sweet itch. But now her condition is monitored and we take precautions to protect her and treat any sores that appear. Poppy, however, does not appreciate the brand new fly sheets and special boett blanket that we dress her in and proceeds to tear holes in them...fortunately the grandmother of one of our helpers is a wizz on the sewing machine and we are very grateful to her for repairing Poppy's rugs and masks.

Weetabix and Molly chasing a sweet-smelling Poppy after she has had her bath

                     TIMMY TROUBLE...!!!

Timmy, our 12hh aged Welsh gelding who has arthritis has surprised us all. His condition deteriorated in last year's wet weather and we were prepared for the worst. However, his medication has given him a new lease of life. He was a bit depressed after his best friend, Miz, passed away in January but Robert and Tango have helped him to overcome the loss. We will continue to monitor this loveable little 'bear' and give him all the hugs and attention he deserves.

REMEMBERING MIZMOG...

In January we said goodbye to dear old Miz. Pat saw her at first light lying down outside her shelter under a tree. She looked very peaceful and there was no sign of a struggle. She was warm and hadn't been lying down for long. Although she was barely conscious she acknowledged Pat was there as she waited for the vet to arrive. Tango, Robert and Timmy were standing close by with their heads bowed, as was Eoin in the next paddock. Miz's heartbeat was very weak and slow, it was her time to leave. She was given an injection and slipped away before the vet had finished administering to her. This was a very peaceful and dignified passing for a very special old lady who had endured so much suffering before she came into our care in November 2002 aged 29 years. Later that day we placed lighted candles behind the fence, near the tree. Her friends acknowledged that she had gone and stood by as the candle light flickered way into the night.

A NEW STABLE ENVIRONMENT...

Last year we received a generous donation from a local supporter to erect a new pony stable block.This was a wonderful boost to us as it is something that we have wished for for many years but we have never had the funds to build. Planning permission was granted and following a newt survey, work has been started by volunteers to erect the building and erect new fencing. This will provide five additional stable units that will be suitable for small horses as well as ponies. We are most grateful to the generosity of the supporter and our volunteers without whom this improvement to our Centre could not have been achieved.

                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Weety's Recovery Continues...

Weetabix has continued to amaze us here at THV. Those of you who know about 'Weety' will be aware that he came to the centre after he and Molly were rescued from their previous owner where they had suffered from neglect. As a result of this Weety has poor feet and suffers from pedal bone rotation. Earlier last year we thought that Weety's condition was so bad that he might not recover and would have to be put to sleep. But we never gave up and were determined to do everything we could for him. After having his feet x-rayed our farrier trimmed Weety's feet to try to rectify the problem but still Weety was very stiff and reluctant to move. After trying several treatments he began a medication for Cushings Syndrome that stimulates his pituitory gland. Almost instantly we saw a dramatic improvement and now twelve month's later he is doing brilliantly, chasing Molly around the paddock, cantering and bucking like a youngster. Here he is showing-off his fab new boots that we bought for him to make him more comfortable when the ground is hard. We are all hopeful that he continues being a happy chappie and that he has many happy years ahead of him. See what WEETY has to say about our '1 in a 1000 appeal' on the fundraising page.

                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Please Help us to Help the Horses and Ponies that need us to give them a second chance !