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It was freezing, wet and windy on Dartmoor in January 2009. One little foal was struggling to survive on his own in the harsh conditions after being separated from his mother.
The new year had passed uneventfully at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary. January 2009 began with freezing temperatures and icy rain in the South West. The Mare and Foal Sanctuary staff and volunteers were all working hard to care for the many rescued horses and ponies at their two yards, Honeysuckle Farm and Coombe Park Visitor Centre.
On 5th January the Sanctuary received a call from a very worried member of the public. They were visiting Dartmoor and had found a tiny foal wandering alone on the moor. This vulnerable colt foal had become separated from his mother at such a young age and was not able to survive in his own. Tired, dehydrated, malnourished and desperately calling for his mother, the little foal was weak and allowed these kind people to help him.
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s founder, Rosemary Kind, coordinates emergency rescues and arranged for the colt to come to Honeysuckle Farm immediately. His new home was to be a warm stable with a deep bed of straw and a pony in the next stable to keep him company. The pony was Benny, who at 21 years old, is still a brilliant ‘uncle’ to orphaned and debilitated ponies.
The little foal was named Uno because he was found alone on the moor. Little Uno was only approximately 3 months old, too young to be weaned from his mother. The Sanctuary vet came to check over the little foal to make sure he had no serious illness. Uno was given small regular meals of special foal milk and milk pellets. His skin was sore due to having been exposed to extreme weather, in particular sleet, rain and wind. Gradually Uno’s strength returned, he began to go out in the paddock with Benny.
It was clear to see that Uno was not comfortable when walking and was not behaving like most young foals; he did not play and buck or canter around the field. After further veterinary examination he was diagnosed with a form of hip dysplasia causing limited movement in the joints. His prognosis for the future is good although he may never be ridden.
In the summer of 2009 Uno was joined by another orphaned foal. Ulysses came to the Sanctuary after his mother was hit by a speeding car on Dartmoor. Ulysses was brought to the Sanctuary by a kind person who found him by his mother’s side, trying to feed from her.
Uno and Ulysses soon became the best of friends. Although he is younger Ulysses was much more playful and energetic that Uno, as he had been with his mother for longer. However, Ulysses was calm and gentle with Uno, as if he sensed that Uno was not able to play and gallop with him.
Uno has gone from strength to strength. He is growing and developing into a lovely pony. His cheeky character and gentle nature have made him popular with everyone who meets him.
Uno has now been in the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s care for a year; he has come such a long way from the lonely sick foal abandoned on the moor. He will remain in the care of the Sanctuary for the rest of his life. His medical problems mean that Uno will not be looking for a loan home yet. Until then he shall get all the love and attention he deserves at Honeysuckle Farm.
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