A year to this day, our Welfare Team made a 16-hour round trip to collect the neglected and starving ponies from Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. After spending their time on the Peter Hunt Yard where our specialist handling team provided them with individual handling programmes, we are delighted to update you on the progress of Bodmin, Cornish, Trewella, Legend, Phantom, Barron and Beastie…
With a body condition score of 1.5 out of 5 on arrival, Bodmin has gained 65kg since being in the care of Bransby Horses. Now great to handle, Bodmin is a loving pony who would thrive in a one-to-one home as a companion.
Cornish was very defensive and aggressive towards handlers when he came into the care of the charity, he was very nervous so displayed this in an aggressive manner. At the beginning of his handling programme and rehabilitation, Cornish had to be sedated for routine visits from the vet, farrier and dentist. Just months later, Cornish is now safe to worm in the crush (safe area for handling) and can have his feet trimmed without sedation and is progressing well in his handling programme.
On arrival, Trewella had a body condition score of 2. Very defensive and food aggressive in May last year, she was very head shy and the specialist handling team found it difficult to catch her so introduced a dongle to her head collar, making it easier to catch her. Now, Trewella can have all four of her feet trimmed without sedation. To overcome her fear of needles, she is receiving Needle Training with our Vet Nurse.
Legend had a body condition score of 1 when he arrived into our care and has gained a fantastic 70kg! Nervous and head-shy, it took some time for the specialist handling team on the Peter Hunt Yard to gain his trust. But now, Legend can have all of his feet trimmed, his teeth checked and have worming treatments with no problems. He recently has had a mild sweet-itch, which is due to an allergic reaction to midges saliva after biting the skin, which was solved by daily oral medication. Legend is now ready to begin looking for a home and would suit somewhere quiet where he can have the one-to-one attention that he deserves on a daily basis.
Phantom was very nervous and was extremely scared on arrival to Bransby Horses. Whilst his physical condition was improving from a body condition score of 1, Phantom slowly began to trust his handlers. His specialist handling programme began with head collar work and allowing the specialist handling team on the Peter Hunt Yard to touch him. Phantom overcame his worst fears and took dental and farrier check-ups, along with worming treatment in his stride.
After forming a bond and progressing with her handling programme excellently, Barron is a firm favourite with the team on the Peter Hunt Yard. It was later discovered that Barron was expecting a foal and on 27th April 2017, Barron gave birth to beautiful and healthy filly, which staff named Bracken. At just a week old, Bracken is settling in well with her mum and is enjoying all of the attention.
Two year-old Beastie is a confident young horse and is a delight to handle now. With a body condition score of 2, Beastie will soon be castrated and when he has healed, it is hoped that he will find the loving home that he deserves shortly after that. Beastie had his feet trimmed without sedation the first time he had a visit from the farrier and can still have farrier and dental check-ups without sedation. He recently has had a mild sweet-itch, which is due to an allergic reaction to midges saliva after biting the skin, which was solved by daily oral medication.
We are truly proud of the progress that these horses have made over the past year, overcoming their fears and becoming trusting of humans. A huge congratulations to our specialist handling team on the Peter Hunt Yard, who have turned these ponies lives around who were once neglected, starving and in need of love and attention. If you could offer one of our horses a home, which frees up time and space at the charity for more equines in need of help like the ponies rescued from Bodmin Moor, please visit our Rehoming pages.
