Fort Dodge helps The Blue Cross with loan horse healthcare
| Fort Dodge helps The Blue Cross with loan horse healthcare The Blue Cross animal charity, with support from Fort Dodge Animal Health, has awarded its 100th equine healthcare package to support companion horses and ponies homed via the charity's loan scheme. The 100th package, which covers the costs of routine innoculations and an annual veterinary health check as well as providing EQUEST and EQUITAPE wormers, has been providing support to Blue Cross Alice, a magnificent 17hh Shire mare. |  |
Helen Barnes, Equine Business Manager for Fort Dodge in Europe, commented:" The work of The Blue Cross is even more important in the difficult economic conditions many horse owners are experiencing today. We are delighted to continue our long history of support for the charity."
Alice came to The Blue Cross in Burford together with 19 other horses because her owner had become over-stocked and couldn't cope anymore. At 16 years old she was in poor condition and had severely overgrown feet when she arrived. She had been backed in the past but had subsequently done very little under saddle and was unsuitable for future ridden work.
Once Alice had regained her health under the care of Blue Cross staff she was placed on loan as a companion with Felicity Lamb and her partner William Kelly from Hertfordshire, who had already provided a loving home for Blue Cross Winter - a comparatively diminutive Shetland pony who is less than half Alice's height! She also provides companionship to a Shire gelding called Mocka, a Morgan mare called Serenade and another Shetland called Cinnamon.
Felicity said: "Our dog Fin came from The Blue Cross and so did our wonderful Shetland pony Winter, so when my partner William and I decided we needed another heavy horse to keep our Shire horse company we naturally came back to our favourite charity. The healthcare package is a great idea and helps enormously with our annual bills for worming and vaccinations!
"Alice is a perfect field companion for Mocka as they are similar in size and build and have the same feeding requirements. Our two Shetlands are also great companions for each other as they need far less grass. My riding horse Serenade is happy to be turned out with either pair and everybody stays happy with their partner when I take her out for a ride."
The Blue Cross healthcare package was introduced four years ago to help encourage existing horse owners to give a home to a companion. Perceived by some as a poor relation to riding horses, companions can actually play an important role. Horses are social animals and companions can provide vital friendship for a single riding horse. They can also have a positive influence on the behaviour of other horses, particularly youngsters. The charity often uses older, retired horses and ponies as ‘nannies' for youngsters at the charity's rest and retirement centre at Northiam (East Sussex), with great effect.
Added on: 25/09/09.
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