Tiny Tinker Bell’s fighting spirit keeps her alive against all odds

A severely emaciated foal named Tinker Bell is receiving intensive care at our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, in Norfolk. Rescued recently along with two other youngsters, Tiger Lily and Wendy, and a ten-year-old mare, Mary Darling, Tinker Bell, who’s just six months old, was barely clinging to life having been taken from her mother far too soon and suffering from a lack of nutrition combined with a heavy parasite burden. Now, she and her friends are receiving round-the-clock care from our team at Hall Farm as they take their first steps on the long road to recovery.

The charity’s Director of UK, Malcolm Morley, says, “Underneath all the hair, Tinker Bell is almost a skeleton. Her blood tests show really profound malnutrition, so she’s not been getting the right food. They’ve been pulled down (made more unwell) by worms and lice too. To be honest, I’m amazed they’ve made it to us alive – these ponies are right on the edge of life.”

The ponies were discovered by World Horse Welfare’s Field Officer, Rebecca Carter.  “As soon as I arrived at the site, I could see that some of the ponies were extremely unwell. Eleven of the group were all in normal body condition, but seven who clearly had worms were really underweight despite living in the same conditions,” recalls Rebecca. “Tinker Bell’s worm burden was so bad that she had multiple different kinds just pouring out of her. She was so underweight that I could pick her up by myself.”

With the seven ponies in need of urgent veterinary care, Rebecca contacted the RSPCA, police and a vet, who confirmed that the ponies were suffering. The police seized them and they were taken to safety, where they could start getting the treatment they desperately needed. Despite an abandonment notice being issued, no owner came forward, so the ponies were transferred into the ownership of the charities.

“Tragically, the three colts who were removed were so sick that, despite the vets’ best efforts, they had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds,” explains Rebecca. “The three fillies and the mare, though very unwell, made it through the first couple of weeks and were able to travel to our Norfolk rescue and rehoming centre.”

The ponies were all incredibly weak on arrival at Hall Farm and Centre Manager Sue Hodgkins says, “Two of them had to have plasma infusions. Once we’re confident that they’re starting to feel a bit stronger and their blood results show they’re starting to recover, then they can start to have a little bit more time out in the field.

“For Tinker Bell to have come this far, with the blood test results she’s had and the fact that she’s still with us and fighting, gives me a little more confidence. We’re keeping everything crossed that she keeps that fighting spirit and makes a full recovery.”

All four ponies have a long road ahead of them on their journey back to health but now they’re safe in the expert hands of the Hall Farm team, who will work closely with our vets every step of the way. To help save ponies like Tinker Bell and her friends, donate today.