Pegasus
Redwings was asked to assist the RSPCA with the collection and care of a pony with ‘overgrown feet’ in June 2007, but the state of poor Pegasus was still a huge shock to the team that picked up this tiny stallion and brought him into the safety of the Sanctuary. Appalled by the severity of his neglect and suffering, Redwings worked hard to support the successful prosecution of Pegasus’s owner, who has now been banned from keeping or caring for any equine for two years.
Tiny Pegasus, measuring a mere 30" high, arrives at Redwings with his feet in a shocking state.
Pegasus’ front hooves were affected by a slight deformity that would have been manageable with the help of an experienced farrier. However, Redwings’ veterinary surgeon estimated that poor Pegasus had not been seen by a farrier for about 2 years. This inexcusable neglect had led to the hooves growing into such a twisted shape that Pegasus was having to walk on the sides of his feet, badly distorting the ligaments and tendons in his legs as well as causing him discomfort and making it very difficult for him to move around. The friendly miniature stallion was also very underweight and could hardly be seen under his overgrown mane and tail.
Pegasus' horribly overgrown and twisted hooves had affected more than just his ability to get about. His tendons, ligaments and even the bones in his feet had been damaged.
Redwings first priority was to make Pegasus as comfortable as possible. He was given medication to help with the pain in his feet and a stable with a lovely deep bed. Once Pegasus had settled in, Redwings’ senior welfare vet and our farrier, who specialises in therapeutic hoof care, assessed our new arrival to work out the extent of the damage to his feet and what could be done to help him. Unfortunately, X-rays showed that his deformed and overgrown feet had also caused terrible damage inside both front hooves. The pedal bones, right at the bottom of the foot, had been displaced and worn away as the hooves twisted over and this damage was irreversible.
Our vet and farrier hoped to be able to stabilise Pegasus’ feet and then try to gradually bring his feet into a more balanced shape. The first stage was to remove most of the excess hoof growth and build up a flat base of special plastic material and glue to support the foot. Pegasus continued with a daily dose of medication to help him stay comfortable and our veterinary team devised a special diet to help him put on weight as well as lots of TLC and affection.
Our specialist farrier glues a tiny plastic horseshoe on to give Pegasus some support and stop his feet 'rolling' as he walks.
Over many weeks, Pegasus was monitored vigilantly by our veterinary staff and farrier and at times he seemed to be making such positive progress that we all had our fingers crossed for his future. Sadly however, the pain in his feet could not be kept at bay in the long term and the heart breaking decision had to be made to put this tiny pony to sleep. Our consolation is that Pegasus did not die in vain and his owner has been punished for her neglect and the suffering she caused. As well as being banned from any involvement with equines for 2 years, his owner also received a 3 month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay over £5,000 in costs. Paying for a farrier to look after Pegasus in the first place would have been much cheaper and saved this beautiful pony's life.
Pegasus enjoys a roll during his sadly brief stay with us here at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
Pegasus was the first animal in the UK to be rescued using a special power of entry provided by the new Animal Welfare Act which came into force in April this year. Without this power, the RSPCA would probably never have found him. We hope that the new law will not only help us to rescue more equines in need of help, but prevent many of them from enduring the same appalling level of suffering that Pegasus experienced.
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