Friday 31 July 2015

What's all this about microchipping then Eggsy? Microchipping abandoned equines


Microchips are a small implant, about the size of a grain of rice, that contain a unique serial code. They are implanted into the ligament on the left side of the horses neck , via an injection by a veterinary surgeon.
The microchips unique serial code can be read using an electronic microchip reader. The code along with the owner's details are stored on a computerised data base.
Since the 2005  introduction of compulsory passports for horses another European Union regulation came into effect on 1st July 2009 which states that all foals must be microchipped before an owner can apply for an equine passport. Any foal born after 1st July 2009 must be microchipped within 6 months of birth or before 31st December of the year of birth or the owner will face a possible fine. 

This means that Eggsy will have to be microchipped by the end of the year, not a problem now due to the generous donations but not all abandoned equines are so lucky. 

Under Section 7B and 7C of the Animals Act 1971, as introduced by the Control of Horses Act 2015  if an abandoned horse is not claimed ownership passes to the person detaining the equine, who may then retain ownership, or see that they are re-homed, sold or humanely destroyed. Which means that whoever has had the equine dumped on them then becomes legally responsible for microchipping & passporting before said equine can be sold or risk a fine of up to £5,000. At a cost of around £100 it becomes economically unviable, leading to the majority of abandoned equines being destroyed.


Eggsy's microchipping and passporting fees are covered now but he still has lots of other expenses, would you like to help support Eggsy?

Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x

Monday 27 July 2015

Eggsy the abandoned foal wears a rug for the first time



The Great British weather tipped it down at the weekend so when Eggsy started to shiver we started searching through the rugs for one that might fit. Luckily we'd kept a couple of foal rugs from some time ago and although not in perfect condition they were fit for wear.

Eggsy wasn't too keen on the idea of wearing a rug and had to be bribed with copious amounts of carrots to stand still long enough to get one fitted.


But, it didn't take him long to begin to appreciate his "raincoat" and he soon found that all foal duties could be performed whilst wearing a rug. Duties like eating his dinner!


By morning he was an old hand at rug wearing.
Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x


Thursday 23 July 2015

Companionship for abandoned foal


You may remember that Eggsy hasn't been too comfortable around the other equines. Since he came out of quarantine  we've been working at introducing him to other yard members, mostly he has seemed a little intimidated by them and has tried to hide out in the trees.


Ideally there would be another youngster to run and play with but unfortunately there isn't any young stock on his yard but Eggsy has found someone he is happy to spend time with


our oldest equine, a retired ex-racehorse ~ talk about little and large!
Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x


Tuesday 21 July 2015

It takes a village to raise ~ an abandoned foal



We  have also have some good news in that the annual fun dog show that takes place on the Pink Tractor Field just off the A47 at Wisbech has added Eggsy to their beneficiaries this year:

Fun Day Dog Show
Sunday 2nd August 2015
With Bright Eyes Photography
In aid of Bulldog rescue & rehoming (reg.charity no: 1115009)
Sunshine Therapeutic Riding School
Osteosarcome research IWGH
& Eggsy (foal)

At Pink Tractor Field, Redmoor Lane, Wisbech (off A47) PE140RN
tel: 01945 580739 / 07776196751
Entries from 10am. £1.00 per class per dog. Ring side parking. 
Rosettes 1st-6th place. Refreshments. Tombola.
Stands welcome; FREE FOR RESCUES / CHARITIES

20 classes + individual best in show classes


Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x




Thursday 16 July 2015

Quarantine over for abandoned foal


Eggsy's quaratine period is over, quarantining abandoned equines is essential to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and parasites to other horses on your property, so now it's time to introduce him to some equine companionship.


Eggsy isn't very comfortable around other horses at the moment, not surprising really as he will only have spent time with his mother who, sadly, will have been tethered. He has no idea about herd dynamics. Also because he was confined in a very small space by his 1st owners, the ones who abandoned him, Eggsy hasn't learned to run and play so we're taking things very slowly letting him get used to horses from the safety of the other side of the fence to start with.

Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x


Monday 13 July 2015

The cost of raising an abandoned foal


So I've been doing the sums and the cost of keeping an abandoned foal is really quite scary...

It's a legal requirement for equines to be microchipped and passported, this is going to cost, including vet call out fee for microchipping, £101.57

He absolutely must be vaccinated against tetanus, cost for both shots including just one vet call out fee (hope to get 1st shot done when microchipped) is £95.04

Being a colt Eggsy will need that essential op - gelding! That according to my vet will be in the region of £300 (again including call out) if there are no complications.

Then there are farrier costs, every 6 weeks, worming and sometime during the first year we will have his teeth looked at.

All that without feeding!

I've done the figures and it's looking like Eggsy is going to cost in the region of £2,000 in his first year alone, the most expensive due to gelding, and raising a foal is a long term commitment ....

I can't afford this by myself so I'm having to ask for help.

Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x



Saturday 11 July 2015

Improved condition of abandoned colt


Regular feeds have changed our abandoned colt from


this 


to this


just look at that butt!

Really pleased with how Eggsy 's condition has improved, now we just need him to grow out of those sticky stifles.

Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x


Tuesday 7 July 2015

First hoof trim for abandoned foal


Eggsy has had his feet done, the farrier visited and trimmed his hooves.


First trim for the little lad, 


as you can see he had quite a long "baby" toe. 


Pleased to say that Eggsy was as good as gold  throughout, he got a well deserved treat after his trim.
The farrier also confirmed that at the moment he is suffering from a locking stifle on both hinds.

Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x


Sunday 5 July 2015

Foal Abandoned with Locking Stifle


This is probably the reason for the foal's abandonment, take a look at the off hind, he is dragging his leg.


Those Gypsy Cob feathers don't make it that easy to see but he is suffering from a locked stifle.






If you compare these two photographs, above and below, of the hind leg you'll see that he has dragged his leg along the ground and in the above picture is standing with a bent fetlock.


"Sticky stifles" aren't uncommon at certain stages of a foals development, usually when they are "bum high".


Eggsy 's is exacerbated by his conformation having a rather straight stifle. 


It was probably also made worse by the conditions he was kept in by his previous owners. Bought as a weanling he was kept in their garden in a pen at the side of the house with barely room to move around.


Eggsy now has plenty of room to move and as you can see once the stifle unlocks he is perfectly able to get around. Backing a pony up will release the stifle and building his muscles will help improve the condition, 80% of foals that suffer from a locking stifle grow out of it. We're hopeful that with a suitable exercise routine, good nourishment and time Eggsy will recover.

Would you like to help Eggsy? 

Eggsy has a Ko-fi page where you can buy Eggsy a "coffee" the donation is spent on Eggsy's essential care, food etc, we'd be really grateful if you'd go take a look, share it far and wide via your social media and of course if you can spare some money please donate.

Click to help Eggsy Pony by buying him a coffee on Ko-fi 

Thank you, Eggsy and I really appreciate it x