Pony patter updates

Krystal is still young looking and beautiful – on this side.   The other side of her face is a mess and a constant reminder of human cruelty towards animals.   Krystal was hit with an iron bar, her skull fractured and she was blinded.   Her eye had to be removed and it was touch and go for her to survive.   We have a lot of ponies in the sanctuary with injuries and health problems.   Every day is busy and there is always a lot of routine work going on.   This week we’ve had the blacksmith to trim the ponies feet again, we call them to come in and put their halters on and take the opportunity to have a chat with each one and check them over while they wait their turn.   It takes about 15 minutes for their feet to be rasped and then we paint them with hoof oil to protect them.   Krystal has to go in the weight watchers paddock now, she is getting a little bit fatter than is good for her and this could affect the health of her feet.  Sorry Krystal, we know how much you like to eat the long grass!   Japonica, our golden oldie bay pony can stay with lush pasture, old age keeps her slimline and she has to keep eating – where does she put it all!   Japonica has daily feed supplements as well.   Older ponies need a lot of help especially when their teeth have deteriorated as Japonica’s have.

Chester is in the next batch for hoof trimming, it is such a big expense that we have it done in stages.  I don’t think the blacksmith could do them all at once anyway, it’s not so bad when the ponies are bigger, but all that bending down to these tinies must be hard on the back.    Chester is over twenty now and definitely qualifies for the Golden Oldie club.  He is a stallion pony and runs out with the mares when they are not in season, which is the autumn and winter time.   He has a lovely temperament and is a real character.  We rescued Chester from the meat market, he was a sorry sight with a badly injured shoulder, probably caused when travelling.   Horses being sent for meat are not penned individually but all crammed in together which is extremely stressful for them.  If one goes down, he gets trampled.   Thankfully, the trauma of those days has been over a long time for our friend Chester.

Grace is one of our most beautiful ponies and with a nature to match.   She has a lovely thick flaxen mane, her daughter Favour has the same colour mane but as yet it’s not as abundant.  These two are inseparable.   Favour is still, at five years old, a mummy’s pet.

Please join the Pet Samaritans – it’s only £10 per year and helps us to keep caring for all these rescued ponies.   We’ll send you newsletters (new one just out) and an emergency pet care card, lots of info and advice also available.    If you let us have your name and address (by email) we’ll send you a joining form. [donate]