Abandoned baby defies doubters to make foal recovery
Just look at how healthy Oli the Orphan is
A tiny foal found abandoned and dehydrated at just one week old has been nursed back to health just in time for Christmas.
Oli the orphan was found in a field by a stable hand back in June after being thrown over a five-bar gate.
Now six months later he is ‘alive and kicking’.
Jamie Sharp, who owns Jamie Lee Sharp Equestrian in Collier Street, Tonbridge, has been working with neighbouring Chequer Tree Farm ever since to make sure Oli gets all the help he needs.
He said: “When we found him we took him to the vet, who thought he was a week old. He should have still been with his mum and he was dehydrated. “He was dumped at mine, which is where I sell horses, but he was taken in by the farm with my help due to the staff’s stud knowledge and their access to equipment for foals.
“At the time, the little horse was under 24-hour surveillance, being bottle fed every two hours. “He also had to be put on a lengthy antibiotic course and was given worm and flea treatments.
He was riddled with infections and had a high temperature which caused vets to worry about his condition, but he has come on leaps and bounds and is now on solid food.
The 28-year-old horse dealer added: “He is alive and kicking now, he is a cheeky one but he is a good boy.
“At the moment he is staying at Chequer Tree Farm, which is next door because they are best to deal with his needs.
“He is still on one bottle a day but he goes out to play with his little friends and he loves them even if they don’t love him as much.”
The recovery came as a much loved surprise to staff after his condition did not dramatically improve for many weeks after he was found.
When Oli started eating straw and hay that was a big milestone for his carers.
Mr Sharp added: “The teams have done an amazing job.
“It’s nice to give something back after all the horses give to us.”
After much discussion about Oli’s future Mr Sharp has decided he would keep him as the centre’s special mascot. He added: “His future is secure and he will be gelded in the new year.
“We will be keeping him as our mascot.
“If he continues to be a good boy, he might even get a carrot for Christmas.”