Rescued ponies highlight importance of deworming
Tinker Bell was so underweight she could be lifted by one person.
A group of ponies is receiving urgent care from World Horse Welfare, after being found critically underweight and infested with worms.
When they arrived on site, the team encountered eleven ponies which were in normal body condition. However, despite living in the same conditions, seven were severely underweight and clearly had worms.
Among the ponies was six-month-old filly Tinker Bell, who was so underweight and burdened that she could be lifted by one person.
Of the seven ponies, three colts were so sick that, despite veterinary treatment, they had to be euthanised on welfare grounds.
Three fillies and a ten-year-old mare, however, made it through their first couple of weeks after rescue. When they were strong enough, they were transported to World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm premises in Norfolk.
The ponies were still incredibly weak when they arrived, with two of them needing plasma transfusions.
Tinker Bell, Mary Darling, Wendy and Tiger Lily are now recovering under veterinary supervision. Once their blood tests show signs of improvement they will be allowed more time in the field.
Malcolm Morley, a charity director, said: “Encysted redworm, where small redworm larvae hibernate in the gut wall, won’t show up on faecal egg counts, which can give a false sense of reassurance. That’s why owners should seek advice from their vet or a specialist laboratory such as Westgate Labs, which employs suitably qualified staff to help interpret results and guide responsible worming."
Sue Hodgkins, Hall Farm centre manager, said: “For Tinker Bell to have come this far, with the blood test results she’s had and the fact that she’s still with us and fighting, gives me a little more confidence. We’re keeping everything crossed that she keeps that fighting spirit and makes a full recovery.”
Image © World Horse Welfare
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
