The Horse Trust has paid tribute to a “miracle pony” who the charity rescued three years ago and survived great hardship against the odds.
Coloured cob Morgana was one the herd of ponies and donkeys saved from “one of the largest cases of mass animal cruelty ever seen to the UK”.
Before being taken in by The Horse Trust, she was taken to the Royal Veterinary College, where she overcame many health issues despite her prior neglect. She had been left emaciated, suffered severe gut damage due to parasites and had significant lameness.
“We never imagined she would make it more than 6 months; however, with immense love, and the onsite surgeries we were able to provide her with, she gained weight, became extraordinarily mobile and our team of experts were successfully able to manage the gut damage and occasional flare ups of her lameness,” said a Horse Trust spokesman.
“Morgana always had battles with her health but with a real team approach she remained happy and comfortable for even longer than we could have imagined. With every struggle she faced she seemed to bounce back and was even given the nickname ‘medical marvel’ which only made everyone who knew her love her more.”
Initially Morgana was very nervous and struggled to control her impulses around food; often becoming aggressive due to her past starvation. Staff at the Horse Trust worked to help her control these impulses and slowly she turned into a happy pony who enjoyed her interactions with people.
Morgana also became a mother figure to the charity’s rescue ponies Dobby and Seren.
“Always first to the gate, Morgana loved to greet her trainers with a cheerful whinny,” the spokesman said. “She was forever hoping that someone had something tasty to offer her and we will miss seeing her happy little face waiting for us.
“She was much loved by all the team but especially by her main trainer Esther whose compassion and behavioural training knowledge allowed her to build a magical bond with Morgana that grew each and every day.”
Early this year Morgana’s lameness worsened and after investigation it was clear she had sustained a significant injury to her stifle and developed arthritis in the joint, and staff decided the kindest option was to put he mare out of her suffering.
“Though it will take time to recover from her loss, we, like all our loyal supporters, can take comfort in the fact her last days were not spent alone and in pain, but rather happy and loved with her friends and in the arms of those who cared,” added the spokesman. “It is thanks to our generous supporters that we have had the good fortune to provide her with the resources she needed to live three incredibly happy years.”
If you would like to donate to The Horse Trust in memory of Morgana click here
