Dartmoor foal in our yard after pony drift

katie_southwest

katie_southwest

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Ok so pony drifting today around our area, a foal appeared in one of our fields as they went past, with a cut leg.
Jumped in the car and managed to catch up with them...and farmers dont want to know, so at the moment have enclosed her in a small area and contacted local rescue centre who are going to try and get out tonight to help.
What else can we realistically do? Its very distressed as its been seperated from the herd and it looks quite young still...weve got her into an area with shelter under hedge and trees and just hoping they can get out to her tonight :( Poor little pony :(
 
Thank you muckyshavings - we have contacted SWEP who are just 10 minutes away who YO is awaiting to come and help at the moment, just feel sorry for the poor thing :( suppose theres not much more we can do for the pony really just feel so sorry for her.
 
Update tonight, farmer has now decided he will try and find the mother tomorrow, which I believe to be a complete lie and ridiculous seeing as we saw them with a lorry load of ponies probably including the mare driving off earlier..... And if he doesn't find her the foal will be shot. He will not allow a rescue centre to take her, but doesn't care if anyone else wants her. So basically it looks Like we will have to say we will keep the pony and then try and get someone to help and re home it etc. Or simply let him take it back and be shot. Im not stupid I know the fate of many dartmoor ponies but this one I feel particularly sorry for :(
 
Its a difficult situation all round; no easy answers. Unfortunately the farmers don't want these ponies coz they just cost them money; and over the years the quality of the "Dartmoor pony" type has been allowed to go downhill drastically, with poor little runty scrubby ponies being produced that no-one wants.

Can you keep the foal for a wee bit ..... tell the farmer that you'd like to keep it, or whatever, and THEN get the rescue centre to take it on in a little while?

Unfortunately this is a situation that isn't going to get any better; and whilst I hate to say it there are worse fates for the foal than being shot :( Awful but true, alas.

Poor little thing.
 
Dartmoor hill ponies are fab little ponies, it is shame that people can not see them for what they are fab kids ponies, we have 2 of them, first of all they are hard work, but the rewards are great.
 
Yes they are, this one is a real sweetie, and has jumped over into another field to make friends with 2 17hh horses over night :)
It looks as if we will take it from the farmer as he just simply doesnt want it, then hopefully get some help from a rescue centre once it is ours.
 
I wish I could help! If my daughter knew about this she wouldn't sleep! I'd love to help but I'm in a different country and feeling totally inadequate:( Thank you for helping this little chap - please keep us updated.
 
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