Underweight pony with ‘ear teeth’ rescued
Vets were surprised to find two 'ear teeth' in King's ear.
A two-year-old pony is ready for rehoming, after an equine charity discovered a rare developmental defect in his ear.
World Horse Welfare received a report that the pony, King, was tethered and underweight in Bradford in October 2025.
King was taken to Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where the team started nursing him back to health. During these examinations, they discovered an unusual lump in his ear.
Further investigation revealed that the lump was a rare developmental defect called a dentigerous cyst – also known as an ‘ear tooth’.
Ear teeth are uncommon, so the veterinary team were surprised to discover that King had two ear teeth in his ear. After they removed these growths, King made a full recovery.
Malcolm Morley, a vet and World Horse Welfare’s director of UK, said: “If left untreated, dentigerous cysts can cause life-long pain and result in challenging complications and abscesses. So, what appeared like an unassuming lump could have had some very nasty consequences for King had he not come into our care.”
King’s rescue followed numerous reports to emergency services that he was in danger. He had previously needed rescuing after sliding down an embankment into a ditch as well as running onto the main road.
Now aged three, King has grown into a healthy young pony and is ready for a new home.
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. 
