‘Severely beaten’ horse found with fractures

A young horse has been round with a fractured back and neck after being ‘severely beaten’ with a heavy object.

Metal bar

The 18-month-old colt was rescued by HorseWorld on 18 August after being found collapsed on an industrial estate in Avonmouth, Bristol.

He was brought back to HorseWorld’s isolation unit for veterinary attention, which revealed two fractures in the vertebrae of the spine and neck.

“The injuries are consistent with a blunt trauma,” said Carys Chadwick, veterinary surgeon of B&W Equine group. “My guess is that this horse has been severely beaten over the back and neck with something heavy, for example a metal bar. He is also dangerously underweight and covered in sores.”

Full recovery

The colt has since been named Twiglet due to his skinny appearance and long knobbly legs. Despite his shocking condition and injuries, he is expected to make a full recovery.

“He has his youth on his side,” explained HorseWorld’s rescue manager, Jerry Watkins. “The fractured vertebrae are likely to fuse as he develops. If they don’t, the vets are confident they can remove the fragment from his back and he should go on to lead a normal life.

Sweet nature

Twiglet is on medication for the pain and is being closely monitored by the vets.

“He has a very sweet nature but is very quiet, as if he has mentally shut down due to the torture he has endured,” said Jerry.

“Our team are very experienced with horses like this and given time, love and attention, he will gain confidence.”