Animal Welfare Officers Left In Tears After Rescuing Badly Neglected Shetland Pony

Animal welfare officers were left in tears after a distressed pony was found dumped and neglected on New Year’s Eve.

Saroo, a 15-year-old Shetland pony was discovered abandoned in a field starving and thirsty and had about 3,000 burrs across her body leaving her unable to go to the toilet.

The pony, who is now on her road to recovery, was also found to have an eye infection and carers think she may also be pregnant.

A spokesperson from Kent Horse Rescue said: “Saroo was starving and thirsty and there was about an inch of rain water solidified with leaves in her tub. She had about 3,000 burrs all over her.”

Around 1,000 burrs, or seed cases, were removed from Saroo’s tail alone which was so heavy and tangled with seed pods that she was unable to urinate or pass stools.

The horse charity, which was set up in 2015, rescued 31 horses last year and wants Saroo’s case to help raise awareness of the struggle it faces as feed and care cost increases.

The spokesperson from Kent Horse Rescue added: “Owners face increasing costs of owning a horse through the winter as their diets need supplementing.

“Hardy ponies cope much better but we are seeing an increase in the suffering of all breeds of horses from horse owners from different walks of life.”