NATIONAL PET charity Blue Cross is looking for new homes for 12 horses which have fallen into its care.

The group came from a private home where circumstances beyond the owners’ control meant that they could no longer give the horses the time and care they needed.

Some of the horses were incredibly nervous on arrival at Blue Cross Rolleston’s rehoming centre, making catching, handling and leading them almost impossible.

Some of the horses presented complex training needs but after working with the charity's health team, the centre believes that they should go on to either make super project horses to be backed or companion ponies.

“Most of the horses weren’t used to having their legs and feet handled regularly,” said horse rehoming manager at Blue Cross Rolleston, Maria Kavanagh. “Their hooves were overgrown and in desperate need of treatment from the farrier. Given that some were so anxious about their new surroundings and of being handled, they had to be sedated before the farrier could tend to them.”

Two of the horses have a history of laminitis which has been managed in their previous home but future owners would have to have experience of caring for a laminitic prone pony.

One horse, Harrold, arrived with a weeping eye which was so badly damaged that the centre’s vet felt the kindest option was to remove it.

“Harrold has recovered very well and is now looking for a new home,” continued Ms Kavanagh. “He is living in a large herd and is a very sweet horse.”

Another horse called Silver demonstrated nervous and aggressive behaviour when he first arrived at Rolleston but with the help of regular sessions with a trained supervisor, he is now able to cope with initial health checks.

“Unfortunately, he also has a painful, rotten tooth which needs to be removed,” added Ms Kavanagh. “Once this has been done, he should feel much more comfortable and it should help him make better progress.”

Three horses arrived lame and one had a known lameness problem, which is being resolved. Another horse had a history of foot abscesses and is currently receiving regular treatment from the centre’s vet and farrier. The third was suffering from severe lameness caused by conformation defects and sadly had to be put to sleep.

Selwyn arrived as rig and needed to be castrated. He hadn’t been with other horses for a quite a while before coming to the centre and so needed to be introduced very gradually to other geldings. He is now living with other horses which has been a success story so far.

Ms Kavanagh concluded: “With veterinary treatment, patience and the hard work of our team at Rolleston, the horses are shaping up very well and we hope that 2020 will bring them a new start in the loving new homes they deserve.”

If you think you may be able to help give any of these horses a new home or would like to consider supporting Blue Cross then you can visit their website at https://www.bluecross.org.uk/rehome/horse?f%5b%5d=field_centre_single:158&f%5b%5d=field_species_single:72&sort_by=field_long_lat_latlon&sort_order=ASC