Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Champing at the bit to save these horses
Plight of animals dumped in Mournes
They are not hardy or adapted for living in such harsh conditions MARC VINAS NATIONAL TRUST RANGER
ABANDONED horses and ponies may make for idyllic pictures in the Mournes but the stark reality of their daily lives is very different warn three charities.
As a result The National Trust is working with Equine Halfway House and Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary to get them the care they need.
They say the growing number of dumped domestic animals living in the mountains has led to herds of horses showing signs of inbreeding, genetic deformities, deadly parasite infestations and malnutrition.
And that the wildfire that raged through the National Trust park in April reduced their grazing area, forcing them higher up Slieve Donard and Commedagh.
To date 30 have been rescued but some haven’t been so lucky amid the steep and uneven terrain, with two dying recently.
One perished above Bloody Bridge while a foal named Sunnie was found with an open leg fracture so severe on Commedagh, it had to be euthanised.
Ten-month-old Robyn, who was rescued by Croskennan in January near Bloody Bridge has been luckier.
A National Trust spokesperson said: “Robyn was in such a bad way that the vet confirmed she wouldn’t have lasted another 24 hours on the mountain without the sanctuary’s intervention.
“Her dental issues were so severe she was unable to chew grass enough to swallow it, and so was surviving solely by sucking the nutrients from the grass and spitting it back out.”
They said the pony was incredibly underweight and weak as a result but also riddled with lice and worms.
The spokesperson added: “She has gone from strength to strength at the sanctuary... from a feral foal who was terrified of humans, to one who adores attention and being groomed, following staff around for cuddles.
“Robyn has a potential new home with a family with two little girls, where she will continue her training and have regular dental treatment.”
Now they are hoping to give the same chance to up to 50 horses still living in the mountains.
Marc Vinas, Area Ranger for the National Trust, said: “It’s important for the public to understand that these are not managed herds of hardy native breeds. They are domesticated horses in origin that have been abandoned in the mountains over a number of years and are not adapted for living in such harsh conditions.”
Katryna from Equine Halfway House, said: “To the untrained eye the horses may look quite healthy, but their rounded tummies are the result of a severe worm infestation. Prone to injury, with little food and limited access to fresh water, the horses run the risk of death in the wildfires that are increasingly common on the mountain, starvation or a painful death through injury.”
The charities are keen to see more horses safely removed before winter sets in.
A Crosskennan Lane volunteer has set up Mourne Horse Watch on Facebook to determine the location of the dozens of abandoned animals. Members of the public who come across them while hiking or walking are being asked to take pictures, drop a pin on Google maps and send a private message to page who will then locate the animal.
A spokesperson from Crosskennan Lane said: “Our aim is to rescue the ponies from the mountain so they can be brought back to good health by receiving the required veterinary, dentistry and farrier treatment.
“Once this is achieved, we can look for suitable homes for the horses.”
Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary and Equine Halfway House welcome any donations to help cover veterinary and dentist bills, food and bedding. To donate please visit https://gofund.me/cafaa20f