ANIMALS

From Death’s Door To New Life: A Horse’s Journey

Upon reaching a construction site in East Durham, England, the volunteers of the British Horse Society were confronted with a scene beyond any preparation. Amidst the squalor, they discovered Heidi, a pony initially presumed lifeless. However, upon noticing faint signs of life in her breathing, the volunteers realized they were facing one of the most severe cases of neglect they had ever encountered.

Without hesitation, the decision was made to give Heidi a chance at recovery. It required the collective effort of five people to lift her to her feet, as recounted by the spokesperson of Here 4 Horses Equine Charity.

The subsequent chapters of Heidi’s remarkable journey to recovery were captured in a series of videos, showcasing the incredible resilience of this little pony. Let’s delve into Heidi’s inspiring transformation below, a story bound to evoke tears and heartfelt emotions.

More info: Facebook | Youtube | here4horses.org.uk

After the BHS volunteer arrived at the site, he was horrified to see what he thought was a dead horse

Image credits: here4horses
To delve into Heidi’s journey toward recovery and get an update on her current well-being, Bored Panda contacted Wendy Suddes, the founder of Here4Horses, a charity in the North East of England dedicated to horse welfare and education.

Wendy, an expert in horse welfare and education, initiated the charity and revealed the distressing state in which Heidi was discovered.

“When the rescuers arrived, they encountered a knackerman summoned by the owner to dispose of her body,” Wendy disclosed. She emphasized, “Whether he presumed she was already lifeless is inconsequential—Heidi had endured unimaginable suffering.”

But the rescue crew decided to give the little pony a chance

Image credits: here4horses

Heidi’s condition was deemed critical, rendering her incapable of standing or walking. Wendy recalled the initial days as precarious, grappling with Heidi’s severe weakness and an alarmingly low blood protein level, necessitating a plasma transfusion. It took over five weeks for the pony to regain the ability to stand independently.

Heidi was placed on a drip for plasma transfusion since her blood test showed she was emaciated

Several liters of blood were donated by healthy horses

Throughout the rehabilitation process, the pony had to don cushioned dressings, and the Here4Horses team demonstrated innovation by repurposing multiple pairs of leggings into shorts. This creative approach aimed to prevent further damage to her pressure sores.

However, the recovery journey was far from smooth. Wendy noted, “Numerous sores, worm infestations, parasites, and infections had been allowed to establish, requiring months of dedicated effort to restore Heidi’s health sufficiently for her to roam freely in our pastures.” Heidi’s spirited demeanor played a crucial role in her recuperation, as the team believed her feisty character was instrumental in the healing process.

After the pony got emergency treatment, her long road to recovery started

Wendy asserted that Heidi’s situation represented an extreme form of neglect and cruelty, a distressing occurrence encountered by the Here4Horses team once or twice annually. Wendy commented, “While unfortunately, cases of such harm and illness are not uncommon, it ultimately boils down to either cruelty or a lack of understanding about horse care and the proper ways to meet their needs.”

The wounds thankfully began to heal

And after a long time, Heidi began to look brighter

Thankfully, Wendy reassured us that, with the support of the team, Heidi is now embracing life to the fullest, relishing every moment.

At present, the organization is tending to another pony facing comparable challenges, currently undergoing a treatment regimen. To assist their dedicated team of volunteers in rescuing neglected horses and ponies, please explore their website to discover ways in which you can contribute.