The Flicka Foundation

Toffee

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:26:07 +0000

Toffee is a very handsome and cheeky young chap. He first came to us in 2007, on loan. He helps to give lessons in behalf of The Flicka Foundation. He is quite a character!

Frodo & Sammy

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:16:40 +0000

In February 2008 we rescued 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 came to ‘rest’ with a large ‘matriarch’ cob that the two boys seem to regard as a mother figure. 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. A prosecution may be pending…..

They originated from the moors, were ‘drifted’ (rounded up) as foals, and then been sold for a few pounds at the market place. Now they are unwanted, frightened, hungry and disorientated.

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, usually to end up as meat anyway and the rest are taken to the continent.

Sammy and Frodo pictured above just after being brought to safety – two very tired little chaps!

Shona, Hazelnut & Jimmy

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:35:08 +0000

Three miniature Shetlands, Jimmy Hazelnut & Shona were originally rescued off the moors. Unfortunately the gentleman who cared for them became unwell and the ponies became very neglected. Hazelnut was in foal when ‘South West Equine Protection’ was alerted to their predicament.

SWEP removed the ponies to their care – sadly Hazelnut lost her foal and needed veterinary care, not only physically, but mentally as well – grieving for her lost foal. Jimmy had to be gelded, a risk in itself, as all the ponies are in their mid to late twenties. SWEP were unable to find a home for the ponies, as they were anxious the little trio stayed together as they have been companions all their lives. So we at the ‘Flicka Foundation’ have given them a permanent home.

They are delightful, measuring from 28” up to an ‘enormous’ 32”. Jimmy is a little character, Shona we believe may be an original foal of Hazelnut, a bit shy, but very gentle. Hazelnut is very sweet and quite affectionate.

Alfie

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:33:44 +0000

Content to be added.

Misty

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:32:13 +0000

Misty came to us in 2006and is now semi-retired. She is a very unusual colour – steel grey mixed with strawberry roan that changes with the seasons. She is quietly independent and very gentle. She was born in 1990.

Joey

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:30:29 +0000

Joey came to us about the year 2000. He was rescued from a very unpleasant market place. He loves people and is very affectionate. Every youngster’s dream pony! He was born in 1992.

George

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:29:00 +0000

Content to be added.

Buzby

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:26:28 +0000

Buzby (the significance of his name is unknown) is a very handsome intelligent horse, but he can’t help his occasional flashes of aggression. It’s not his fault, he was very badly beaten and has scars around his eyes and face to show for it. Apart from these moments he is very affectionate but he definitely prefers the company of people he knows. We think he was born in or around 1985.

Tom

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:24:49 +0000

Tom was born around 1978 a chunky little cob of 15hh. Tom was destined for the meat market.

Tom has ‘Cushing’s’ a disorder of the pituitary gland. It was once believed that ‘Cushing’s’ was a tumour of the pituitary gland, but of course this can only ever be confirmed with a post mortem, any malfunction would give the same symptoms. It causes an over production of the bodies own steroids, this shows up as clinical signs of long hairy coats that don’t shed in the summer, or laminitis that becomes chronic and difficult to control, the body has difficulty regulating temperature and the horse will drink and urinate more as diabetes can be a complication.

Tom’s condition is controlled by a drug used for humans called ‘Pergolide’ (given for ‘Parkinsons’) – he will be on these for the rest of his life.

Tom has lived with this condition since 2000, he, and we manage it very well. He is a great favourite with many of our adopters.

Bella

Emma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:23:28 +0000

Bella, a little rescue pony of about 11 hh – she is famous for stopping the trains from London to Kettering as she ‘climbed’ through a fence and got herself stranded on the railway track!!!

Bella was born around about 1996, but she has suffered all her life with chronic laminitis, which at times for lengthy periods has been acute. On more than several occasions vets have thought it best to have her put to sleep. However, we heard of some pioneering treatment being done by a professor at ‘Edinburgh University’, for horses with ‘metabolic laminitis’ (Bella was tested for this condition first). After much fund raising Bella was put onto the ‘programme’ – at first we were doubtful about it’s success and at £300 per month was very costly (it is a ‘one off’ treatment for a maximum of six months). After 4 ½ months finally she has turned a corner and is improving daily…thank goodness. This picture was taken seconds after she was galloping and bucking all around the school, something she hadn’t done for almost three years. Poor Bella, destined for the continent and then suffering discomfort for so much of her short life, thankfully she is doing well and is happy now.