2nd February 2008 - Urgent Rescue Appeal

The Flicka Foundation  is embarking on a tricky rescue this week. You’ve heard of the ‘Tamworth Two’ – well these are the ‘Kernow Couple’!!

The rescue involves two young Dartmoor pony colts, Sammy and Frodo, who have been running wild since May 2007, victims of neglect and ignorance. After visiting umpteen different fields and crossing many busy roads, they have finally come to rest with a large matriarchal cob that the two boys seem to regard as a mother figure. The smaller colt is still trying to suckle. There were three colts but one has sadly gone missing: we hope that someone has taken it in. It has also become apparent they are particularly frightened of men.

Having originated from the moors, they have been ‘drifted’ (rounded up) as foals, and then been sold for a few pounds at the market place. They are now unwanted, frightened, hungry and disorientated. We are going to attempt to bring them to safety to The Flicka Foundation. The police are aware of the situation and legal action is pending.

We desperately need donations for such an operation. Flicka is going to rehabilitate them and have them gelded. Funds are needed for the rescue operation (we have twelve people lined up to help), transport, a vet inspection, inoculations, worming, feet trimming, gelding (castration), teeth inspection, feed and ongoing care – bedding and handling. One pony is a mid bay and about 11hh and the other is black with a white snout and about 13.2hh – our guess is that one is approximately 18 months old and the little one not a year old yet. The black one ‘Sammy’ is ear tagged, so he has certainly originated from Dartmoor.

It can be quite easy for these foals to escape into the Cornish countryside where there is a lot of open land.

 We really don’t, however, have room, resources or finances to take on these ponies permanently as we are stretched beyond capacity now, but we could not allow their appalling situation to carry on once it was brought to our attention a couple of days ago. We are hoping that once fit and well, we may be able to foster them out to a good kind home together – otherwise we would need at least 5k per annum more to take on their permanent care. The Flicka Foundation charity is too small financially for such an undertaking.

This once again highlights the terrible ordeal these foals go through – separated from their mothers when they are far too young, rounded up into lorries and taken to market. A few are sold here - usually ending up as meat - and the rest are taken to the continent.

Please, please, please help us – you have always been so supportive and we hope you will help us rescue these ponies urgently, before they are killed on the roads or taken away to an unknown fate.

Anything you can donate will be wonderful and help enormously. We will forward updates and photos as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time