Two-year ban for owner who hid her neglect

The owner of a pony that was rescued with terribly overgrown feet has been banned from keeping equines for two years.

The 30-inch tall miniature stallion was rescued in a joint operation between the RSPCA and Redwings after he was found with painfully deformed and overgrown hooves, in chronic pain and in poor bodily condition.

Pegasus had terribly overgrown feet

Tragically, this was the third case of cruelty to equines that has been brought against the owner, who had hidden the pony to avoid being reported. It was only thanks to a brave member of the public that the RSPCA were alerted to the situation. Anticipating the owner's reluctance to allow him to inspect the premises where the pony was kept, the RSPCA inspector was the first in the country to use powers under the new Animal Welfare Act to reach the pony.

With feet so overgrown and deformed that they were 'cartoon-like' and curled in appearance, and a painfully thin stature, the pony's condition and appearance defied belief, even among the horse welfare professionals who saw him.

Pegasus on arrival at Redwings

While in our care, the tiny pony received specialist farriery work to his feet, bespoke plastic shoes to try and support the foot and around-the-clock care for over four months. Despite the hopeless future he faced due to the extent of the neglect the pony, named Pegasus, changed almost instantly when his feet were trimmed and he was given pain-relieving medication. He began to eat and move about and again enjoyed some quality of life.

Pegasus after some time spent at Redwings

However, tragically the neglect had caused so much damage to the bones of his feet that this sweet-natured pony could not be cured or kept free enough from pain. He eventually had to be put to sleep to avoid a painful future.

"The condition of Pegasus when he arrived was pitiful," explains Redwings Welfare Veterinary Surgeon Nicolas De Brauwere.

"The worst part is that the owner knew Pegasus' feet were a problem, but wrongly assumed that the professional advice would be to have him put to sleep so she decided to keep him hidden instead. In the end what she feared only happened to poor Pegasus because she did not seek help when it was still possible to correct the problem."

For more about Pegasus or to read about Redwings' other recent rescues, please follow this link to the Welfare pages of our site >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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home welfare visit us adoptions young redwings fundraising gifts about us contact us Tel: 01508 481000 Fax: 0870 458 1947 info@redwings.co.uk A Registered Charity No. 1068911	Two-year ban for owner who hid her neglect The owner of a pony that was rescued with terribly overgrown feet has been banned from keeping equines for two years. The 30-inch tall miniature stallion was rescued in a joint operation between the RSPCA and Redwings after he was found with painfully deformed and overgrown hooves, in chronic pain and in poor bodily condition. Tragically, this was the third case of cruelty to equines that has been brought against the owner, who had hidden the pony to avoid being reported. It was only thanks to a brave member of the public that the RSPCA were alerted to the situation. Anticipating the owner's reluctance to allow him to inspect the premises where the pony was kept, the RSPCA inspector was the first in the country to use powers under the new Animal Welfare Act to reach the pony. With feet so overgrown and deformed that they were 'cartoon-like' and curled in appearance, and a painfully thin stature, the pony's condition and appearance defied belief, even among the horse welfare professionals who saw him. While in our care, the tiny pony received specialist farriery work to his feet, bespoke plastic shoes to try and support the foot and around-the-clock care for over four months. Despite the hopeless future he faced due to the extent of the neglect the pony, named Pegasus, changed almost instantly when his feet were trimmed and he was given pain-relieving medication. He began to eat and move about and again enjoyed some quality of life. However, tragically the neglect had caused so much damage to the bones of his feet that this sweet-natured pony could not be cured or kept free enough from pain. He eventually had to be put to sleep to avoid a painful future. "The condition of Pegasus when he arrived was pitiful," explains Redwings Welfare Veterinary Surgeon Nicolas De Brauwere. "The worst part is that the owner knew Pegasus' feet were a problem, but wrongly assumed that the professional advice would be to have him put to sleep so she decided to keep him hidden instead. In the end what she feared only happened to poor Pegasus because she did not seek help when it was still possible to correct the problem." For more about Pegasus or to read about Redwings' other recent rescues, please follow this link to the Welfare pages of our site >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >back Links \| Accessibility \| Privacy policy \| Site map \| ©Redwings 2005	advanced search