Five-month-old colt rescued from muddy ditch

A five-month-old colt, too weak to stand, has been rescued from a muddy ditch.

‘Near hypothermic’

The foal was spotted in Avonmouth, in Bristol, on 4 February by a passer by who asked workmen to help get him out of the deep ditch. When they realised he couldn’t stand up they called for help.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service helped lift the colt – now named Joey –out of the ditch and into a trailer.

“He was freezing cold, shivering and near hypothermic,” said HorseWorld managing director Mark Owen, who attended the rescue. “We couldn’t get him up to get him out of the trailer so had to roll him onto a rug in order to drag him into the stable where the grooms had prepared a big deep bed for him.

“Staff from all departments, including the offices, came out to help warm him with heaters and hot water bottles.”

hypothermic

The charity’s grooms monitored him throughout the night and the following morning, after being lifted to his feet, Joey was able to stand on his own and eat.

“The fact that he’s eating is a great sign but he’s certainly not out of the woods.” said Sarah Hollister, HorseWorld’s equine welfare yard manager. “He’s mentally very shut down and still shivering despite his temperature being normal now.”

Vets administered steroids, painkillers and antibiotics and took blood samples to check for underlying health problems as he is very thin.

hypothermic

Fly-grazing is a big problem inAvonmouth, where Joey was found.

“It is very unlikely the owner will ever be found and brought to justice for this act of neglect,” said Sarah. “He was named Joey after the film War Horse as the conditions he was found in were like the trenches and he’s a little fighter.”

Joey’s progress can be followed on HorseWorld’s Facebook page.