Can You Give A Rescue Horse A Happy New Year Asks Blue Cross?
4 years ago 
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National pet charity Blue Cross is hoping 2020 will be a Happy New Year for 12 deserving horses in its care. The group came from a private home where circumstances beyond the owners’ control sadly meant that they could no longer give the horses the time and care they needed. They took the brave step of asking the charity for help, to give them a safe future.
Some of the horses were incredibly nervous on arrival at Blue Cross Rolleston’s rehoming centre, making catching, handling and leading them almost Impossible. Some also had complex training needs. The charity’s horse team have been working hard to overcome these challenges in order to be able to give the horses important health checks, vaccinations and foot care.
“Most of the horses weren’t used to having their legs and feet handled regularly,” said Maria Kavanagh, horse rehoming manager at Blue Cross Rolleston. “Their hooves were overgrown and in desperate need of treatment from the farrier. Given that some were so anxious about their new surroundings and of being handled, they had to be sedated before the farrier could tend to them.”
Two ponies had a history of laminitis which had been managed in their previous home but needs ongoing care. They will need specific homes with someone who has the experience of caring for a laminitic prone pony.
Harrold a beautiful big horse arrived with a weeping eye. The centre’s vet found that it was badly damaged, had no vision and was causing significant pain. The kindest option was to remove the eye.
“Harrold has recovered very well and is now looking for a new home,” said Maria. “He is living in a large herd and a very sweet horse.”
Silver was very nervous and had previously shown aggressive behaviour. Blue Cross Rolleston’s training supervisor has been working with him in short sessions, three to four times a day, to build his trust and help him cope with initial health checks.
“Unfortunately, he also has a painful, rotten tooth which needs to be removed,” said Maria. “Once this has been done, he should feel much more comfortable and it should help him make better progress.”
Three horses were lame. One had a known lameness problem and Blue Cross is working with the vet to resolve it. One had history of foot abscesses and is currently receiving regular treatment from the centre’s vet and farrier. The third was suffering from severe lameness caused by conformation defects and sadly had to be put to sleep.
Selwyn arrived as rig and needed to be castrated. He hadn’t been with other horses for a quite a while before coming to the centre and so needed to be introduced very gradually to other geldings. He is now living with other horses and enjoying companionship at last.
Maria said: “With veterinary treatment, patience and the hard work of our team at Rolleston, the horses are shaping up very well. Some should make super project horses to be backed in loan homes, while others will be lovely companion ponies. We hope that 2020 will bring them a new start in the loving new homes they deserve.”
If you think you may be able to help give any of these horses the Happy New Year they deserve please visit The Blue Cross page here .
If you are not in a position to rehome, but still wish to help, please consider supporting Blue Cross here.
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