One-eyed pony ‘thriving’ after emergency treatment
"I'm so proud of how he has come on since he got here." – Megan Jarvis, senior groom.
A pony is now ‘thriving’ after being found with a badly ulcerated eye by the charity World Horse Welfare.
Pirate Pete, as he is now known, is living happily at Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre after receiving extensive emergency treatment courtesy of the RSPCA.
The piebald cob was reported to World Horse Welfare in October last year, after he was found fly-grazing in an open field in Gravesend, Kent. Rebecca Carter, a field officer with World Horse Welfare, contacted colleagues at the RSPCA after discovering Pete had critical eye injuries.
After police officers signed the pony into the RSPCA’s care, Pete was transported to specialist veterinary hospital Lingfield Equine Vets for extensive treatment.
An examination at the practice revealed that Pirate Pete’s eye had been left untreated for about a month before he was found. Since the eye was extensively damaged, and despite the best efforts of the veterinary team, it ultimately had to be removed.
With the RSPCA investigation concluded, Pirate Pete was signed over to the care of World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
Now two years old, Pirate Pete is happy and secure in his new surroundings. He will eventually be found a new home where he can continue to thrive.
Roxane Kirton, RSPCA head vet for equines, said: “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.”
Megan Jarvis, senior groom at Hall Farm, said: “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.”
Image © Megan Jarvis/World Horse Welfare
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
