Loss of ‘little fighter’, the second horse from area to be taken in by charity
A FOAL that suffered horrific neglect has died two days after it was discovered by a dog walker near Lamby Way recycling centre.
The two-month-old colt, nicknamed Pebbles, collapsed on a footpath on Friday and was found to be dehydrated, malnourished, and blind in one eye.
He was the second horse rescued from the area by Welsh Pony Rescue, an animal re-homing charity, in just over a month.
“I am gutted,” said Ann Keating, the charity’s founder. “I thought he had a good chance because he was a little fighter.”
Pebbles was taken to the charity’s stables in Merthyr, where he was treated by a vet and given antibiotics and anti-toxins.
He was also suffering from worms but was too weak to cope with anti-worming medication, said Ms Keating.
“Later that evening we gave him foal milk and he loved it – he just devoured a bucket full. He seemed to be getting stronger,” she said.
Pebbles appeared to improve over the weekend before Ms Keating discovered his body on Sunday morning.
“When I went over to him it was just like he’d laid down and gone to sleep. There was no sign of disturbance – he’d just laid down and was gone.”
Despite his short time at the stables, Pebbles left a powerful impression on his carers. “He was a little character and a loving little thing,” said Ms Keating.
“He’d come up and cwtch into you – but when he knew you were going to give him an injection, he was quite feisty.”
She was concerned that those responsible for neglecting Pebbles may be mistreating other horses.
“Maybe the mare had no milk to feed him because she was in a bad condition. We don’t know where he came from but it is concerning – have they got any other horses and what condition are they in?”
Pebbles’ story inspired local chef Carrie Weston to raise money for the charity, which relies on public donations.
She used her food delivery business, The Little Kitchen, to raise over £100 in a charity raffle.
Ms Weston said she was “devastated” when she discovered that Pebbles had died.
- Welsh Pony Rescue is a volunteer-led charity. To donate, visit their Facebook page here.
