Courageous mare found with skin falling off saves foals
Piebald mare Maggie was found with open sores all over her body and was caring for both her own foal and an orphan.
Posted on 01/12/2016

When piebald mare Maggie was discovered by a World Horse Welfare Field Officer she was in a terrible condition, dangerously underweight and covered in angry infected sores, with skin peeling off her back and face. Not only this, but she was also caring for her own seven month-old foal Rosie and orphan foal Jim.
It was clear that all three horses needed immediate attention so they were travelled to World Horse Welfare’s Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Somerset where the team found Maggie’s wounds were much worse than expected and there were actually maggots living under the infected skin on her back.
“Maggie’s skin condition was probably the worst I’ve ever seen. The sores on her back and face were open and really red, her ribs and hip bones were clearly visible and despite all this she was still being an incredibly good mother by taking care of the two foals.
“Once Maggie’s skin condition began to clear up, we were then able to turn her out in the paddock with her two foals where they were all able to explore and relax, knowing that they were in the best of care. Sadly, after a couple of months Maggie’s condition started to deteriorate with her quickly becoming very ill and it was apparent there was something else wrong with her.
“After two or three days of nursing, Maggie was still very poorly with no signs of improvement so we had to make the heart wrenching decision to have Maggie put to sleep.
“Whilst we were all incredibly sad to lose this lovely mare, her legacy will live on in these two beautiful little foals. Maggie was an amazing mother, giving everything she could to both brave little foals and they are now thriving in our care.“There are many more invisible horses out there just like Maggie, Rosie and Jim who are in need of our help and with the harsh winter weather setting in, we are likely to see an increase. World Horse Welfare relies entirely on voluntary donations and without our dedicated supporters; we would simply not be able to continue helping vulnerable horses and ponies to have a second chance.”
Sara Jerman, World Horse Welfare Glenda Spooner Farm Supervisor
Throughout December World Horse Welfare will be sharing stories of rescue, hope and inspiration, showing just how vital our supporters’ donations are in helping our team to give horses the ultimate gift of care this Christmas.
Topics
Related News

Double the difference you can make for rescued horses during the Big Give 2021
The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021 will double the difference you can make for rescued horses – like these 15 Thoroughbreds.

Disbelief at what was on rescued foal’s foot
Our Field Officers never know what they will find when they attend a welfare concern. Little Tintin certainly took us all by surprise though!
Recommended Blog Posts

Bringing horses back into work: how to restart youngsters, progress a horse’s rehab or get an all-rounder fit
Want to find out more about bringing horses back into work? Check out expert advice from Adam Cummins, Centre Manager at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

A busy start to life as a World Horse Welfare Field Officer
One World Horse Welfare Field Officer describes what it's like to join the team.

Meet some of our often-unsung heroes on Groom Appreciation Day – Abi at Belwade Farm
“All of us love the horses we care for and when things go wrong, we really feel it, as this isn't just a job for us. If we didn't love them all, we wouldn't be working here to try and make a difference.”
Enjoy reading stories like this?
Join over 55,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter

Join over 55,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Sign me up now