One-eyed pony thriving after charities collaborate to save him

A pony rescued last winter after being found with an eye so badly ulcerated that it had to be removed is now thriving in the care of our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk, after receiving extensive emergency veterinary treatment thanks to the RSPCA. Pirate Pete, as he’s fondly known, has adapted really well to life with one eye and has a bright future ahead.

The charities worked together to rescue him after our Field Officer Rebecca Carter found the tiny piebald cob fly-grazing in a huge open field in Gravesend, Kent after he was reported to us in October last year.

Rebecca says, “I could see that his eye was really sore – and eye injuries should always be treated as a veterinary emergency. They’re incredibly painful and the sooner they’re checked, the better the chances of recovery, or at least minimising the damage.“

Rebecca contacted colleagues at the RSPCA, who joined her at the field, together with the police and a vet. Police officers signed the pony into the care of the RSPCA, allowing the team to safely remove him from the field to transport him to Lingfield Equine Vets, a specialist veterinary hospital, where he went on to receive extensive veterinary treatment.

Sadly, Pirate Pete’s eye had been so extensively damaged because of the length of time that he had been left without treatment – thought to be around a month by the time he was found – that ultimately it had to be removed, despite the best efforts of vets to save it.

RSPCA Head Vet for Equines, Roxane Kirton says:

“Little Pirate Pete received a huge amount of medical treatment for his severely injured eye, ending in an enucleation (removal of the eye). He had treatment for strangles (a highly contagious infection), and he also had a chondroid removal (the removal of a mass in his throat/neck, relating to the strangles infection).

“It was a long journey for Pirate Pete but the teams worked incredibly hard to pull him through his ordeal. Our thanks must go to our amazing supporters whose donations help us to pay for veterinary treatment for ponies like him.”

Soon after treatment, Pirate Pete was strong enough to travel to our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, having been signed over to us by the RSPCA at the conclusion of their investigation.

Senior groom Megan Jarvis has cared for the now two-year-old Pirate Pete since he arrived at Hall Farm. She says:

“I’m so proud of how he has come on since he got here. When he first arrived, he was really quite nervous and was having to adjust to life with only one eye. I’ve been amazed at how quickly he progressed once I got him into a routine of regular handling. He’s such a quick learner and very brave.

“Pirate Pete has also coped really well with being introduced to life in a herd despite his limited vision. We turned him out with just a few ponies first to see how he got on, but now he’s out with a big group of geldings and absolutely thriving. I think he’s a wonderful little boy – someone is going to have a really lovely pony when he’s ready for rehoming.”

Despite his awful start in life, Pirate Pete now has a secure future ahead of him as part of the World Horse Welfare family. Eventually, he will be found a loving new home where he can continue to thrive.

An abandonment notice was left at the field where Pirate Pete was found, but no owner came forward to claim him, so the charities were unable to investigate further.

To see our horses and ponies who are ready to find new homes now, check out our rehoming pages.