Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA)

Giving a Second Chance to Neglected, Abused and Unwanted Equines

Registered Charity Number: 1085211
Burnley, Lancashire

Abandoned pony rescued during heatwave in July!

Date Posted: 20 Jul 2013

Meet Mr Bloom, the cheeky new arrival at HAPPA Shores Hey Farm who came to the Centre in July 2013.

The abandoned pony, HAPPA Mr Bloom, is a Welsh cross American Shetland pony that was rescued by the charity two weeks ago after his situation was investigated by HAPPA Inspector David McCormick following a call from a concerned member of the public.

Mr Bloom had been abandoned in a field that posed potential risks for this young animal and it was felt that his welfare could have been compromised if he had been allowed to remain where he was. David McCormick tells the story – “On arrival at the field I quickly found the pony and assessed the situation. I saw that the field he was in was not suitable due to the fact that he could have easily gorged himself with the lush grass. This young gelding was the type of pony that could have developed a number of serious conditions if he had been left to continue to graze and as we were experiencing a heat wave I was also concerned about the lack of available water as he only had a small supply of rainwater that had gathered in a bin. After assessing the situation and determining that there was also a lack of natural shelter to shield him from the sun I called out a veterinary surgeon to check the pony’s condition.”

After examining the animal and its environment  it was confirmed that if the pony was allowed to stay in the field he could develop laminitis or suffer from dehydration or heat-stroke. The Veterinary Surgeon issued a certificate for removal and the HAPPA Rescue Team from Shores Hey was called into action. The action taken by the HAPPA team ensured his welfare and potentially saved his life.

Notices have now been issued to try and re-unite this pony with an owner, but to no avail. He will now settle into a new life at Shores Hey Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. His unusual name, Mr Bloom is a tribute to the fact that HAPPA have recently been working with the BBC team at CBeebies in relation to the Mr Bloom series.

For further information about HAPPA Mr Bloom or to contribute to his care please call the HAPPA team on 01282 455992.