New Beginnings: The remarkable recovery of a herd of Icelandic horses in Devon

New Beginnings: The remarkable recovery of a herd of Icelandic horses in Devon

One year on from a major multi-agency operation involving 70 Icelandic horses, equine welfare charity The Mare and Foal Sanctuary has shared an inspiring update on the progress of herd members under its care, including a gentle older mare and her foal, who have won the hearts of their handlers.

Last year, concerns from members of the public about a large number of semi feral Icelandic horses across several sites in Devon led to a coordinated operation between The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, RSPCA and World Horse Welfare. In October, the charities involved released a joint news statement about the welfare operation and the complex work involved.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary welcomed eight horses and five foals into its specialist facilities in the South West, and now the Sanctuary is able to give supporters an insight into what happened after their arrival, including the day-to-day rehabilitation, veterinary treatment and handling training that are transforming the lives of the Icelandic herd members.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary's spring appeal centres on Granny, a 20 year old Icelandic mare whose calm nature and steady presence have helped her foal Sherlock and other horses in the group recover and adjust to their new lives at the Sanctuary.

Granny, who is blind in her right eye and lives with locking stifles, a painful joint condition, now receives daily pain relief and lives out in the field to support her mobility. Despite her physical challenges, staff say her gentle nature has made her a steady, guiding influence on the younger horses.

Jenna Goldby, Head of Welfare and Rehoming at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, said:

"Granny is at the heart of our spring appeal because she shows what ongoing care really looks like. The initial welfare operation was just the beginning of a long journey of recovery for the herd. Since then, our team has been caring for them around the clock, making sure Granny and her herd mates are comfortable, safe and learning to trust people.

"She is an older mare with complex needs, but she's also a calming presence for the younger horses. Before she came to us, she suffered the trauma of losing a foal, and soon after became pregnant again with Sherlock, who's now 10 months old. Sherlock looks to her for reassurance, and other horses in the herd often follow her lead. When people support our appeal, they're helping us provide that long-term, patient care that can't be delivered in a single week or month."

The Sanctuary says that Granny's foal Sherlock is thriving. Naturally curious and playful, he is progressing well with training, including grooming and learning to pick up his feet. Staff have adapted their approach to suit his personality, rewarding him with scratches rather than treats when he becomes overexcited around food.

Other members of the Icelandic group are also making steady progress. Hilda and her filly foal Spirit have been building confidence with careful handling. Youngsters Flint and Wurzel who arrived as very young foals, and Bowie who was born shortly after the herd arrived, are now enjoying life at the Sanctuary's sites in Devon and learning the basics of handling and routine care.

Jenna Goldby added:

"This has been a real team effort. Our Welfare team and Sanctuary Care staff, vets, specialist handlers and volunteers have all played a part in helping these horses adapt from semi feral life to one where they can be safely handled, receive veterinary treatment and begin basic training. We also continue to work in a supportive way with horse owners who may be struggling. Our aim is always to prevent welfare problems wherever possible by offering no-shame advice and support at an early stage."

The Sanctuary's spring appeal is raising funds to support the ongoing costs of caring for the Icelandic horses.