{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}

‘The nightmare’s over, old girl’: elderly mare rescued from violent thugs


  • An old mare who was found injured, emaciated and being beaten by thugs has been named Beauty as “she’s surely never been told she’s beautiful”.

    Police in San Javier, southern Spain, rescued the horse from the gang of yobs on 9 March and handed her over to Sue and Rod Weeding, co-founders of the Easy Horse Care rescue centre in Rojales, Alicante.

    She had “horrendous” scars on her back, caused by an ill-fitting saddle, and a deformed spine, thought to be caused by being ridden hard at a young age.

    The rescue centre’s vet, Dorothea Dudli von Dewitz, examined the mare and estimated her age at between 23 and 25.

    “Sue has decided to call her Beauty because ‘she’s surely never been told that she’s beautiful’,” said a spokesman for the centre.

    “Beauty’s suspensory ligaments have lost elasticity and are collapsing, and she’s in desperate need of a good hoof trim,” she added. “The centre’s 113th resident will require a pair of special shoes to relieve her old legs.”

    Beauty has now been at the centre for some weeks and is settling in well and enjoying her food. Although she is still nervous of people, she is looking brighter.

    “The nightmare is over for this old girl – the centre’s official grandma – who will spend the rest of her life surrounded by love and care,” the spokesman said.

    Article continues below…



    Sue added; “How on earth could we have said ‘no’ to saving this poor old soul?”

    The not-for-profit Easy Horse Care rescue centre relies on donations to fund its work, including the care of its 113 horses, ponies and donkeys, all of whom have been rescued from abuse or neglect.

    For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    You may like...