What do you think? gypsy pony!

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loopyloop

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Hey guys,

Last week the cutest most adorable gypsy foal turned up in the field opposite my OH's flat, now being unable to resist I've been to watch it over the fence most days!

The problem is Mum looks extremely unwell, now I'm not saying I'm going to get involved, not my horse, not my place to intervene from a medical point of view!

Not being the most clued up on illness as I should be, if it was mine I'd have rang the vet! BUT Could anybody shed some light on what might be wrong?

The first day she arrived she was extremely hot and bothered (it wasn't a hot day!) and was constantly scratching her neck on a metal post in the field, she also couldn't breathe, she sounded extremely throaty and bunged up, there was also evidence of thick green snot (for want of a better word!)

I've been over to take a look at her this morning and she's not so snotty, doesn't appear to look so hot and bothered but her muzzle is now covered in scabs (like sunburn but not sore) more crusty yellow than anything.

I've been extremely careful from a hygiene point of view, haven't touched anything, washed my hands and changed etc before seeing my horses as I'm concerned she might be contagious although nothing else in the field with her is showing signs!

Obviously nobody can give me an exact idea without seeing her but any clues?
 
Do you know the owners? If yes are they approachable? If not, or there is any doubt as to whether they will petrol bomb your house etc contact ILPH, or WHW as they are now.
 
Could just be the heat & as you say a touch of sunburn, but I think the noise & the 'snot' sounds like it is a bit more serious.

Do you know who they belong to?
 
The field officially belongs to the Hospital, but the gypsies dumped alot of ponies (in both fields) years ago and it really doesn't rank highly on the Hospitals priorities!

I don't know the people personally but according to OH they come and check ponies weekly?!

I heard them when they dropped the new additions off and they don't sound the nicest!

I'm contemplating loitering around the time they came last week and tell them what a cute foal they have then depending how they react ask whats up with Mum, although obviously if they get shirty I can't really contact anybody about the welfare afterwards!

I'd like to believe they're like the gypsies near my field, who are the friendliest and most compassionate people about their horses! They escaped across our fields once and the guy gave me £20 for returning his pregnant mare......
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Good plan! You could also say you saw some other people looking at them and pointing at the foal and mare and talking. That way if you do report it, you could pretend it was these 'other' people who had done it!
 
I'm sat here really umming and aahing!

Personally if it was my horse I'd of got the vet last weekend!

She does look better in herself from a snot point of view, she's also quite inquisitive but the breathing is concerning me!

I might be totally wasting somebodys time but if it was serious and something happened I'd never forgive myself from the foals point of view!

I guess in the back of my mind I'm worried nothing will come from it and if the gypsies are doing something about it I'll feel guilty for interfering?!

I might take a drive round in min and have another look.....
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Why don't you go see the gypsies near your field as they sound approachable and ask if they know anything. I am sure they will have a good idea and if they are as nice as you say will probably do something about it themselves. Perhaps you could say that you have taken a real shine to the mare and foal, mare looks a little poorly and is there anything you could do to help.
 
Archiesmummy - you are an absolute genius!!!

I can't believe I didn't think of it, what a clever idea!!

Think my YO has the guys phone number, I'll ask her later, if not I'll take a wander over in the hope's they're around!
 
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