The Blue Cross provides peaceful last days for rescued horse

10/12/2007

Staff at The Blue Cross animal charity in Burford today released the tragic details of a desperate elderly mare brought into their care, appealing to horse owners to carefully consider the welfare of their animals as they reach the winter of their years. 

The Blue Cross took in the pitiful coloured mare, who was severely lame, after she was found abandoned following the recent Stow on the Wold horse fair.  Named Tinkerbell by the local animal lovers who originally found her, the sweet-natured mare was painfully thin and debilitated by severe arthritis, which was causing her a great deal of pain. 

The Blue Cross provided emergency veterinary attention and made every effort to rehabilitate her but it became obvious that the care she so desperately needed had come too late for Tinkerbell and nothing would improve her condition for the long term.  In order to prevent further unnecessary suffering, The Blue Cross and the attending vet made the responsible but heartbreaking decision to put Tinkerbell to sleep.

Vicki Alford, manager of The Blue Cross equine centre at Burford explains: Tinkerbell's case touched all of us at The Blue Cross as she was such a sweet old thing and did show some response to the care we gave her.  But her quality of life was so poor by the time she came to us and her future prognosis was even worse, so we made the decision in her best interest to have her put to sleep. 

Tasha Seely BVM&S MRCVS from the Bourton Vale Equine Clinic, who tended to Tinkerbell, said: When Tinkerbell arrived at The Blue Cross she had obviously been suffering for some time. She was emaciated and had crippling arthritis in both her knees which made her severely lame.  From her teeth we assessed her to be 20 years old at the very least.

Tinkerbell weighed a staggering 20% below the healthy weight for a horse of her size and type. She was given small feeds and plenty of roughage to provide the nutrition she needed and prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs to help reduce the pain and swelling in her damaged joints but he prognosis didn't look good from the start.

The mare was given a comfortable bed under the warmth of solarium lights in the charity's intensive care stable, and was given four specially formulated feeds a day to build her strength.  She also enjoyed some brief spells of controlled turnout in the sunshine in the small, safe veterinary paddock. Unfortunately, despite the highest levels of care and veterinary attention her condition worsened and her lameness intensified. 

Vicki Alford added: Tinkerbell was lucky in some ways because we were able to give her comfort in her last days and ultimately release her from her suffering.  But she should never have been abandoned, particularly in such a dreadful state. Responsible horse owners should always plan for their horse's old age or retirement and keep aware of their changing needs as they grow older.  We are urging owners of elderly horses to seek regular veterinary advice and look out for any changes in the condition of their horse that may indicate it is in pain or its health is deteriorating.

If you would like advice on caring for your own horse or pony or if you feel you can provide an experienced, long term home to a horse or pony in the care of The Blue Cross, please contact one of our three equine centres direct: Burford on 01993 822454, Northiam on 01797 253 908 or Rolleston on 0845 260 5505.  Alternatively, email equine@bluecross.org.uk or visit the website at www.bluecross.org.uk.  

Ends

Notes to Editors

Image attached: Tinkerbell at The Blue Cross in Burford

For more than a century, The Blue Cross has been dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies in need, giving them the chance of a new life in approved homes.

The Blue Cross rehomes more than 100 horses and ponies every year from its three dedicated equine centres in Oxfordshire, Sussex and Staffordshire. 

The Blue Cross also provides practical support, information and advice for horse and pony owners, with a range of educational materials available at centres and on the websites: www.bluecross.org.uk and www.allaboutpets.org.uk

Media contact
The Blue Cross:  Sarah Shephard: 01986 784562, email: brightbay@btinternet.com