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Sweet rescue ponies in joyous reunion
Treacle and Candy are said to be "totally joined at the hip".

Treacle and Candy are together again after five years apart.

Two Blue Cross rescue ponies have been reunited and are “living their best life” in Oxfordshire after being separated for five years.

Bay mares Treacle and Candy are once again sharing their hay as if "they've never been apart”, said their owner Joanna Robins. 

The ponies were taken in by Blue Cross in 2011 as part of a large welfare-compromised group in poor condition.

Initially, the charity rehomed the duo with the same owner for five years. However, a change in the borrower's circumstances meant the ponies had to be returned to the charity and rehomed separately.

“Fast forward another five years, and Treacle was once again returned to Blue Cross,” explains Lauren Bush, horse rehoming coordinator at Blue Cross in Burford. “Candy's owner Joanna Robins spotted Treacle on the rehoming page of our website and got in touch straight away. We were thrilled to reunite this pair, and they very much remembered each other, which made it even more special.”

Joanna also owns another Blue Cross pony called Bubbles and had been keeping a close eye on the Blue Cross website for a suitable companion. 

“I was amazed when I found Treacle on the rehoming page,” she said. “I had initially met her when I went to collect Candy five years ago - at the time she was going out to a new home. I instantly recognised her on the page as she is so like Candy. 

"It didn’t take long to decide that she had to come and live with us - she and Candy had lived together as a pair for five years and always been in the same herd, so I was sure it was the right thing to do!”

After all the usual checks, Joanna collected Treacle and brought her home.

“I was slightly nervous that they wouldn’t remember each other, so decided to introduce them initially with a fence between them. I needn’t have worried. Candy was so excited to see Treacle, she just couldn’t contain herself! She tore around the field just stopping occasionally to have a sniff before she took off again. 

“I quickly decided they were fine to put in together, and their joy at being reunited was just lovely to see! They followed each other around, so excited to be back together. There was a little bit of herd placement that took place because of our other Blue Cross Shetland Bubbles, but it soon settled down. Treacle and Candy are now living their best life, totally joined at the hip and sharing their hay, like they’ve never been apart!”

Image (C) Blue Cross.

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.