We were there to help when nobody else was

Our Field Officers work with horses and their owners across Britain — offering trusted advice, practical support, and, when needed, a lifeline.  

Many of those we help are doing their best but face challenges outside of their control. A kind conversation, a little time, and expert knowledge can change everything — for both horse and owner. But sometimes, our Field Officers are faced with abandoned horses, left alone to fend for themselves with no owner in sight. 

Here, Field Officer Sara Hemingfield shares Cadbury’s tragic story. 

---

Over the Easter weekend, I was off duty and received a text from a friend. She’d been contacted by a non-horsey neighbour who had discovered a pony in one of his empty cattle fields. Unsure where the pony had come from or what to do next, he sent a photo to my friend. Concerned by the pony’s apparent poor condition – and being a horse owner herself – she agreed to go and check it out and told me she’d update me after she’d seen the pony herself. At the time, I was mid-DIY with my husband, helping to paint our hallway. I waited for news. 

My friend called me back. She’d found a young colt – suffering with diarrhoea, crawling with lice and severely underweight – grazing alone in a large, lush field. I put down my paintbrush, apologised to my husband (who was now left to tackle the skirting boards solo but agreed that for once I had a valid reason to not be decorating), called the RSPCA, and headed to the field. 

When I arrived, the RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer was already on site, and a vet was on the way. Things don’t usually move this quickly – more often than not, it can take time to assemble all the relevant people required to lawfully rescue a pony – maybe the vet is caught in an emergency, transport gets delayed, or it’s dark, raining, snowing or blowing a gale. But for once, everything aligned. 

Despite being weak and in poor condition, the pony made a few impressive attempts to evade capture. Eventually, I coaxed him into letting me slip on a headcollar and we walked slowly toward the gate to wait for the vet. Unfortunately, the vet then called to say she was stuck in bank holiday traffic on the M5. Confident she would support the pony’s removal to a place of safety, I made a few calls and then drove over to our Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Somerset to collect the trailer. 

By the time I returned, the vet had arrived. After examining him and providing emergency treatment, she confirmed our concerns and we loaded the pony into the trailer. She was so worried about his condition, she followed me back to Glenda Spooner Farm where the grooms named him Cadbury, in honour of Easter. 

On examination, Cadbury was given a body condition score of 0.5 out of 5 – meaning he was dangerously emaciated – and was aged at only around a year old. He had extremely pale gums and a noticeable heart murmur. Cadbury was given more fluids, treated for lice, given a wormer and medication to try and treat the severe diarrhoea he was suffering from. The vet’s prognosis was guarded, due to Cadbury’s poor condition. 

Despite receiving round-the-clock care and further veterinary support, Cadbury sadly died three days later. Afterwards, we learned he had likely been in the field for at least a week before anyone raised the alarm. Cadbury had been spotted earlier from a distance, but it was assumed he was an escaped cow. While this likely wouldn’t have changed the final outcome, it’s heartbreaking to know Cadbury could have been spared some suffering if we’d been alerted sooner. 

Unfortunately, Cadbury’s story isn’t unique. Abandonment happens far too frequently, and as is so often the case, his owner remains unknown. 

Cadbury’s story did not have the outcome we or anyone at Glenda Spooner Farm wanted but we know that, thanks to a determined team effort, we were there and did everything we could to save him – when there was nobody else to help.  

In the end, Cadbury was surrounded by comfort, love and kindness. 

---

This was a deeply upsetting time for everyone involved in the rescue and care of Cadbury. We are so proud of all our staff who work tirelessly to be there for vulnerable, desperate horses when they need it most, no matter the time or place. 

If you’ve seen the work of our Field Officers in action, you’ll know how valuable their help is. They are always there, to reach the next horse, the next owner, the next moment that really matters. 

If you are worried about a horse, please get in contact with us today. Find out more about how to report a welfare concern and if you’re unsure whether to report a horse you’ve seen, please take a look at our guidance page for advice.