Emaciated ponies found living among dead animals in field

Emaciated ponies found living among dead animals in field
RSPCA Cymru are now looking for the horse's owner
The pony and her foal were found in an emaciated state, alongside two dead ponies
(Image: RSPCA )
RSPCA Cymru has issued an appeal to track down the owner of an emaciated pony and her foal after they were found starved and living among dead animals in a field.
A rescue was carried out in Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale where volunteers at the RSPCA found the pony and the foal were starved and living among two dead ponies after receiving a report concerning their welfare. The pair were found in a private filed but are believed to be from the nearby commons.
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The RSPCA were notified on May 9 and were able to pull together a small team who were there until dark that same day. However the attempt was aborted after specialist equipment was required due to the unhandled nature of the ponies.
The mare and pony have since been monitored by the RSPCA and volunteers over the past couple of weeks while specialist arrangements could be made to remove them. A multi-agency team was then arranged for Wednesday 21 May.
RSPCA Inspector Suzanne Smith said: 'The first rescue attempt posed too much of a risk due to environmental risks and also risks to the mare due to her poor condition.
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'In the meantime we ensure they were monitored and we're very thankful to the volunteers who provided hay, water and also checked on them until we were able to organise a specialist team and equipment to safely rescue her and her foal.
'Since our initial rescue attempt she had pushed through a fence onto derelict farmland since and this had better grazing so she has become much stronger.
'We'd like to thank all the volunteers for working with us, as it meant she was then in a better condition to cope with the stress of rescue and transport – giving her the best prognosis.
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'We'd also like to thank HorseWorld, The British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare for their assistance.
"The pony and her foal are now safe in charitable care and will receive the veterinary treatment and care they need.
'It's always difficult in such circumstances. Whilst we understand public frustration and that it may appear we are doing nothing – a lot of work is usually being done behind the scenes to resolve a situation – and with a number of organisations and other charities.'
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The RSPCA is now appealing for information about a possible owner, and ask anyone with information that could identify them to please contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident 01515234.
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