hi,
I would appreciate any help on this matter.
I've been made aware of a situation of a shetland pony which is neglected. The woman who owns her lives in the city and keeps her pony in a rural area. I received second hand information that she feeds her pony at night only, possibly just hay and water and she sometimes skips 2 days at a time without even going up to feed that pony. The pony's shelter is a small building with the door left open 24 hours a day
and part of the fencing is down where the pony can escape and run into the road.
I have gone up to the area to see the pony. She is not emaciated, but i will keep day to day contact on her hay and water levels. The pony is the only animal on the farm and she has extremely limited social cotact with humans except for her occasional hourly visit from her owner. The pony seemed listless to me and it took me 30 min.to get her to come to me. Afterwards she stood by me for 45 min. allowing me to pet her.
How much food should this pony be receiving? What kind? The social isolation of this pony along with everything I've talked about is breaking my heart. I'd appreciate any help. I've already talked to a member of animal control and they say if the pony doesn't look emaciated that there isn't anything that i can do.

Where are you from? scranton,Pa.

How did you locate this forum? internet

Hello Carole,

It breaks my heart, as well, to hear about this pony. And, it is terribly frustrating that authorities will not do anything about this type of situation unless the animal is near death.

So, if you are able to feed her, that would be wonderful and let me thank you, in advance, for caring for her.

My suggestion would be to keep it simple at this stage, meaning, provide her with a good quality grass hay. If she has some grass to graze on, she will only need a few flakes of hay each day. However, if she is in a dry area with nothing to eat, you should provide hay at all times. And, just as critical, if not more so, is clean water at all times.

When you come to visit, you can offer her some carrots and apple pieces as a treat.

Perhaps you can approach the owner and offer to take the pony off her hands. Or, if this is not possible, I would recommend contacting your local equine rescue organization and ask them what options are available.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Thank you, Dr. Getty,
I will feed and water the pony until I contact an equine rescue and she is safe. Unfotunately I cannot take the pony in, as I live in the city, but If I didn't I would ask to take her in a heartbeat.
I will keep you posted.
Carole.

Where are you from? scranton,Pa.

How did you locate this forum? internet