Lab Ponies Rescued - Happy Ending :)

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Cheshire Chestnut

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Apologies if this has already been posted but it brought a smile to my face (the fact that they've been rescued, not that they were used in a lab)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ed-animal-rescue-teams-hours-slaughtered.html

First time they've seen grass or the outdoors since they were 3 months old and now they will all get new loving homes :) I hate animal testing and very much against it but it's nice to see a happy ending for once - if only all lab animals got one too.
 
I'm glad they have viable futures and I don't agree with animal testing.

However I'd much rather have read that 'story' in a legitimate paper that isn't so heavy handed with the emotive language. The story is that foals have been (are being) tested on (tests unknown, could be perfectly harmless but let's not allow conjecture to cloud emotion) and a charity has bought them after the tests are finished. Great! I hope the charity is going to be the forever home for those high maintenance, long-lived expensive animals.

I'm sorry, but I really do hate the daily fail. What was that article even written for beyond making people indignant and upset?

Well... got me, I guess ;)
 
Ahhh, so sad :( Thank god these little guys were saved. Poor poor little souls, I can't imagine the quality of life they would have had up until this point. Do we know what was being tested on them and if it will have long term effects?

The human race does some terrible things.
 
Pigeon said:
Poor poor little souls, I can't imagine the quality of life they would have had up until this point.
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Nor can I, because we know nothing about their conditions. But we had our heart strings tugged so they must have been shocking, right?!

Pigeon said:
Do we know what was being tested on them and if it will have long term effects?
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No, nothing, the article doesn't expand beyond "animal testing is bad" and "baby animals were going to die!" and "are you suitably horrified and upset yet?".

Pigeon said:
The human race does some terrible things.
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I won't dispute that though ;)






At least some of then write for the Daily Mail.
 
We all like a happy ending, and I'm actually angrier at the breeder than anyone else here. What sort of person knowingly sells animals to be used in medical research?

The logical part of my brain says well ..... maybe it's a cure for cancer or a new, improved vaccine for Equine Influenza. However the head in the corner response to people isn't good, no matter how noble the cause.
 
Pigeon said:
Ahhh, so sad :( Thank god these little guys were saved. Poor poor little souls, I can't imagine the quality of life they would have had up until this point. Do we know what was being tested on them and if it will have long term effects?

The human race does some terrible things.
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I hate to annoy anyone but my dad is an antibody engineer (makes medicines-one such one being for arthritis) and has frequently visited labs with animal testing facilities. He has been to one that tests on monkeys (believe it was either china or america),pigs and the most common one-mice. As he has spent a lot of time in these labs (and testing on mice) he can report back that these animals have a very very good quality of life, they are looked after incredibly well-better than some pets (well at the reputable labs they are).

I'm probably going to cause more upset here by saying this but I believe that Animal testing for the development of medicines is correct. It is necessary thing and the viewpoint from my dad is that if you don't agree with the concept of animal testing then do not take the medicines then simple as that. It is vital for the development and discovery of new drugs and if it didn't happen then we wouldnt have treatments for anything. I don't however agreee with testing cosmetics on animals as that is just uncnecessary
 
Polos said:
I'm probably going to cause more upset here by saying this but I believe that Animal testing for the development of medicines is correct. It is necessary thing and the viewpoint from my dad is that if you don't agree with the concept of animal testing then do not take the medicines then simple as that. It is vital for the development and discovery of new drugs and if it didn't happen then we wouldnt have treatments for anything. I don't however agreee with testing cosmetics on animals as that is just uncnecessary
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With polos on this, we cannot feasibly make progression in medicine without testing on animals until as such time there are steps to improve the current options. We don't know what these ponies had tested on them, it could've been a vaccine or a 'cure' for equines that your horse might need in 3 years time.
 
Ponies don't tend to be used as a human model so it's entirely possible this study was for equine purposes. The ponies may well have been destined for slaughter anyway but had a few months living with their buddies probably being very well looked after first. I just hope the post mortem was not critical to this research and something good came from this, without live experiments vets would be less able to do their job.
I've seen far too many "rescued" equines come to a sorry end with inexperienced owners motivated by articles like this, it I was a low value hill pony I think I'd rather live in a lab with my mates before meeting a humane end then with someone who (albeit with best intentions) didn't have a clue how to look after me before dying from worm damage or laminitis due to poor management.
 
I have seen undercover footage that is available & some of it is not pretty. Beyond the actual ethics of/& what is involved in testing, the keeping of intelligent, feeling beings in barren, social isolation for prolonged periods with no stimulation or interaction is not humane.
 
Polos said:
I'm probably going to cause more upset here by saying this but I believe that Animal testing for the development of medicines is correct. It is necessary thing and the viewpoint from my dad is that if you don't agree with the concept of animal testing then do not take the medicines then simple as that. It is vital for the development and discovery of new drugs and if it didn't happen then we wouldnt have treatments for anything. I don't however agreee with testing cosmetics on animals as that is just uncnecessary
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I am with Polos as well.
Testing in-vivo is important stage in the medicine development which can't be replaced with in-vitro and personally I would take medicine or give (especially!) to my child that WAS animal tested.

PS. The lab probably had been using ponies blood serum otherwise I cant see how else they could step out of the lab.

PPS. Hope I didn't upset anybody :)
 
POLLDARK said:
...the keeping of intelligent, feeling beings in barren, social isolation for prolonged periods with no stimulation or interaction is not humane.
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I can think of several instances where this happens on a daily occurance outside of the lab, yet is considered 'okay'. At least lab animals are checked on daily, have access to food/water and medical care.
 
Sorry I have to disagree. Whilst people may feel animal testing is needed, I can't imagine how an animal in a lab has a very very good quality of life. They may have their physical needs met as in food, water and shelter but I don't believe for a minute they are better treated than a pet. For one I wouldn't delibrately cause my pet pain to guage a response. Secondly they get external stimuli such as walks in different places, training, playing games and lastly they receive affection and love. Do animals in labs receive any of that?
 
how many people on here say that their horses stay in 24/7 during the winter months due to the wet fields/yard rules-4 to a stable is good as they have company, but animal testing if it really does not need to be carried out and in some instances it probably is essential then they animals should be handled with care and kindness.

an emotive piece indeed and the photo could be a shot of the four foals finishing the hay that has fallen from the hay rack?
 
Surprised no-one has picked up that one of the youngsters has the headcollar hanging round it's neck. Would say I am surprised the DM used the picture...oh wait, its the DM :D
 
POLLDARK said:
I have seen undercover footage that is available & some of it is not pretty. Beyond the actual ethics of/& what is involved in testing, the keeping of intelligent, feeling beings in barren, social isolation for prolonged periods with no stimulation or interaction is not humane.
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In many instances of lab testing I agree with what you are saying but in this instances they are on clean straw bedding and have company of their own kind so the above is not really relevant
 
The photograph of the stable is one of ours just before we released them. Obviously we could not post pictures of the laboratory as we have signed a confidentiality agreement. There are many alternatives to the use of animals and horses are used for human research. We didn't pay for the foals they have been released as part of our retirement scheme which is to allow animals once finished being used in research the opportunity to live a life free from pain and fear. There is already legislation in the animals scientific act to allow this to happen but it is never implemented hence the campaign. Better treated than pets ? I would be questioning how I was caring for my animals if I caused the level of fear in my horses as these foals are showing. I cannot and will not give any further information than I have already as this particular facility has agreed to work with us in the future. Now let's hope others follow suit including the facilities using dogs, cats, rabbits etc in the UK right now. Whether you believe in animal testing or not you cannot disagree with the fact we owe them a life afterwards. They will not be sold on but will be adopted out on a scheme very similar to HAPPA with full home checks and references required.
 
Vickyfraser1976 said:
The photograph of the stable is one of ours just before we released them. Obviously we could not post pictures of the laboratory as we have signed a confidentiality agreement. There are many alternatives to the use of animals and horses are used for human research. We didn't pay for the foals they have been released as part of our retirement scheme which is to allow animals once finished being used in research the opportunity to live a life free from pain and fear. There is already legislation in the animals scientific act to allow this to happen but it is never implemented hence the campaign. Better treated than pets ? I would be questioning how I was caring for my animals if I caused the level of fear in my horses as these foals are showing. I cannot and will not give any further information than I have already as this particular facility has agreed to work with us in the future. Now let's hope others follow suit including the facilities using dogs, cats, rabbits etc in the UK right now. Whether you believe in animal testing or not you cannot disagree with the fact we owe them a life afterwards. They will not be sold on but will be adopted out on a scheme very similar to HAPPA with full home checks and references required.
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good luck with them
 
See, I'd much rather read that than the drivel the DM put out :) And it contains just as much information and facts but in about 300 less words. 'Articles' like that really pee me off and inevitably sour me to their cause!
 
'They were kept indoors in artificial light, four to a stable.'

Many many youngsters would be kept indoors/barned in winter and these ponies have hardly had a lifetime of testing. I imagine much of the fear they display is just their innate response as they won't have undergone any training/handling rather than what has been done with them.

I have worked in a number of institutions where animals have been used for testing- with differing degrees of isolation required depending on 1) experimental method and 2) What they are testing (obviously somethings need more containment than others), most recently pigs being used as models for neonates. I have always been impressed with the care and demeanor of the animals.
 
I am someone who may benefit from medicines to improve or cure long term and genetic health issues. While it doesn't sit entirely comfortably with me, that this needs to be tested on animals, there currently is not any alternative as people are not allowed to be involved until the medicines are considered relatively safe. If this can eliminate these health conditions so other people do not have to suffer from them, it is progress.
Likewise, if the animals are testing things to improve health conditions in other animals, it is necessary although again not a pleasant thought.
I do not agree with any testing for cosmetics or beauty products however.
 
I'm afraid I am for animal testing if that is what is required to stamp out diseases such as cancer.

Horses are used routinely to produce anti-venom for countries with snake bite issues, as they are good at producing large numbers of antibodies.

If you went to handle any group of barn kept yearlings, they would also be showing "fear in their eyes". These little ones look much better than the hill ponies or those kept with a certain sector of society that travels.
 
Another who agrees with the view that they were kept in company, which is more than can be said for some "pet" horses. I can think of far worse a fate than what these ponies went through.

I just hope the rescuers can indeed find 10 responsible, permanent homes for these small ponies when the country is already swamped with unwanted and abandoned horses and ponies. Plus who knows how many more since apparently the exercise is "repeatable".
 
Polos said:
I hate to annoy anyone but my dad is an antibody engineer (makes medicines-one such one being for arthritis) and has frequently visited labs with animal testing facilities. He has been to one that tests on monkeys (believe it was either china or america),pigs and the most common one-mice. As he has spent a lot of time in these labs (and testing on mice) he can report back that these animals have a very very good quality of life, they are looked after incredibly well-better than some pets (well at the reputable labs they are).
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Yup, when I was growing up, my best mate's dad and my brownie leader both worked at the local (reputable) lab. They were both wonderful, kind, animal lovers, and they would get really annoyed at the way their place of work was portrayed. From what they used to tell us about the lives of the animals therein, believe me I have seen far, far worse in the outside world. As my brownie leader used to say, if the animals were stressed it would affect the results, so they went above and beyond to make sure that they had as natural lives as possible, given the circumstances.

Please note 'natural lives' does not necessarily mean 'well handled' or 'treated as pets'. Larger animals in particular were allowed to be semi-feral, as this was deemed to be a more natural state. That doesn't mean they were abused.
 
I expect these ponies would have been kept in a large barn/pens with company and ad lib forage, they would have been under constant veterinary supervision. Every research group or commercial group must justify what they are doing and the number of animals they want to use to an experiments committee consisting of a range of experts and lay people.They are all answerable to the Home Office and subject to inspection at any time. Horses are generally only used for equine research in the UK-animal testing is (rightly) very expensive in larger species due to containment, waste disposal, cost of specialist housing etc.

animal testing is sometimes a necessary evil and if it should be carried out anywhere, it should be in the UK-home of the most highly legislated animal testing in the world. all of the film being circulated by animal rights people that I've seen is way out of date-much is made of environmental enrichment for all species.

how do you think new vaccines, wormers etc are tested before they are given to your horses? not all testing is for human benefit. these would have been scrag end ponies, bred on the hills with nothing put into them and if the lab hadn't needed them I expect they'd be doing the rounds of sales. at least they had had however long of enough food and shelter.
 
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EstherYoung said:
Yup, when I was growing up, my best mate's dad and my brownie leader both worked at the local (reputable) lab. They were both wonderful, kind, animal lovers, and they would get really annoyed at the way their place of work was portrayed.
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a colleague pointed out to me once that we need 'animal people' to be involved with lab animals and he was right. I don't know of a single scientist who would choose animal work over in vitro if animal work wasn't absolutely necessary.
 
Nice to see them running about a field freely (which is as it should be). Hope their lives take a turn for the better now and they all find decent homes.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
animal testing is sometimes a necessary evil and if it should be carried out anywhere, it should be in the UK-home of the most highly legislated animal testing in the world. all of the film being circulated by animal rights people that I've seen is way out of date-much is made of environmental enrichment for all species.
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Amen to this, incomparably better to have these tests done here than in China or other countries with minimal legislation.

Nice HHO is being so reasonable, polite and interesting :)
 
MotherOfChickens said:
animal testing is sometimes a necessary evil and if it should be carried out anywhere, it should be in the UK-home of the most highly legislated animal testing in the world. all of the film being circulated by animal rights people that I've seen is way out of date-much is made of environmental enrichment for all species.
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I 100% agree with this, if you use medicines for yourself or for your pets you cannot then say you are against animal testing. And we want it to be done in the UK as the animals are well treated. The animal rights activists (not the people in this story) don't realise by attacking centres here it sends animal research abroad where there is less legislation and therefore more suffering.

I do hope the ponies in this story get good homes, and it's a good idea to work with labs to re-home animals and give them a chance a full life.
 
better 3 months of well fed social interaction than starving to death with the mis informed or spending many years 24/7 stabled 6 months of the year or more even if after those few months they go as meat in this country. Don't condone transporting out of the country or cruelty in any way but a short life even if a little unpleasant is better than a long one at the hands of some people or with the ignorant and not willing to learn or selfish
 
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