One of Britain’s smallest ponies found dying and so sick it couldn’t stand is now thriving after being taken in by an animal charity.
Pickle – a one-year-old Shetland Pony who stands just 28 inches tall – was found critically ill at a site in the West Midlands in March last year, after a welfare concern was reported to World Horse Welfare.
The then tiny nine-month-old foal was so weak he wasn’t able to stand and was struggling to breath leaving him needing urgent veterinary care.
Tests revealed he was suffering from several diseases, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, which if left untreated could prove fatal.
But now Pickle has been nursed back to full health at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool, Lancashire, where he is living until he is ready to find a home of his own.
Charlotte Melvin, 36, World Horse Welfare Field Officer, said: ‘As soon as I saw Pickle, I could tell he needed veterinary care urgently – he was really struggling to breathe.
‘When he tried to stand as I walked up to him, he just couldn’t get up.
‘He tested positive for multiple illnesses, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, and was so weak that he kept collapsing.
Pickle – a one-year-old Shetland Pony who stands just 28 inches tall – was found critically ill at a site in the West Midlands in March last year
After tests revealed he was suffering from several diseases, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, Pickle was nursed back to full health
Pickle was cared for at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool, Lancashire, where he is living until he is ready to find a home of his own
‘He very nearly didn’t make it, but eventually turned a corner and started to recover,’ a welfare officer said
Pickle has since made a best friend in his stablemate, a pony called Cheddar, who he enjoys grazing and playing in the field with
Following a multi-agency response Pickle was rescued from the site in the West Midlands in March last year, after a welfare concern was reported to World Horse Welfare
According to World Horse Welfare Pickle’s size worked in his favour enabling those caring for him to get him back on his feet more easily
Charlotte Melvin, 36, World Horse Welfare Field Officer, said: ‘The contrast from that tiny foal who was too weak to stand and could barely breathe was extraordinary’
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‘The team worked so hard to nurse him back to health and his vet said she’s never known a pony to test positive for salmonella as many times as he did.
‘He very nearly didn’t make it, but eventually turned a corner and started to recover.’
Following a multi-agency response Pickle was rescued from the site, along with a number of other horses.
According to World Horse Welfare Pickle’s size worked in his favour enabling those caring for him to get him back on his feet more easily.
After completing a two week quarantine period, Pickle – who weighs 52 kg – was able to join the other horses and ponies on the main yard at Penny Farm Rescue.
Charlotte said: ‘The contrast from that tiny foal who was too weak to stand and could barely breathe was extraordinary.’
Pickle has since made a best friend in his stablemate, a pony called Cheddar, who he enjoys grazing and playing in the field with.
