Vital eye mask returned to rescue pony

A pony with severe eye problems whose fly mask was stolen has since been given a new one.

Thieves

HorseWorld charity in Bristol were saddened to find that the grey mare had been stripped of her expensive eye mask by thieves in the early hours of Sunday 17 July.

The special mask helps protect Beatty from UV light and insects, and without it she could go blind.

Imported from America and costing over £100, Beatty had only been wearing her mask for a month before intruders cruelly snatched it from her.

New mask

After the company who make the masks heard about what happened, they very kindly sent her a new one.

The general public also got involved by donating money towards getting Beatty a replacement mask.

“We are very grateful to Guardian Mask and to the public who responded with donations,” said HorseWorld groom Marcus Kearton

Without her mask Beatty had to stay in a barn during the day, but now she has two and can enjoy being back out in the field.

Distress for the ponies

The thieves also caused unnecessary stress to other animals at HorseWorld by pulling fly rugs off ponies that suffer from sweet-itch.

They purposely placed the rugs on an electric fence and moved the posts so the ponies couldn’t reach their hay.

“These two ponies are very allergic to midge bites and mustn’t be left uncovered during the summer months.

“They now have to be treated for a reaction to the midge bites they suffered as a result of their rugs being removed,” said assistant yard manager Vicky.