Kindness is key for baby horse Ian
Volunteers looking after a five month old horse are positive about his future after he was found emaciated with skin infections and neck problems.
Baby Ian is the latest horse My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) in Cork has been asked to care for and comes amid a massive influx in horses in the Hollyhill area recently.
Ian was rescued by MLHR at the weekend after gardaí were alerted to the distressed horse in the Meadows, Hollyhill.
Kelly Mellerick with MLHR described to the Cork Independent what’s been happening in Hollyhill: “There’s been a massive influx of horses in the area and there’s not enough space or places for them to be cared for. The horses can often be in housing estates and owners don’t have stabling or facilities to properly look after horses.”
Kelly also highlighted issues with oversupply and indiscriminate breeding.
“Stallions are left roaming and it doesn’t matter what defects or disorders they have; they are just left running around and it’s foal after foal after foal. This means the foals aren’t always 100 per cent healthy when they are born and they are suffering from illness and neurological problems,” she said.
Kelly continued: “Where has baby Ian been for the past five months of his life? Surely someone saw him. He’s emaciated, covered in skin infections and there’s damage to his neck. We don’t know if someone did this to him or if he injured himself. People will only see so much from a road but it’s what, three fields back or not a normal walking route is the worrying thing. How many more baby Ians are out there? It’s very worrying!”
Kelly and other MLHR volunteers had just returned from feeding Ian when she spoke to the Cork Independent.
“We’ve a positive feeling about him. The vet has been out to see him and he’s on medication. His neck is beginning to move a little and there’s a healthier neigh coming from him. We will do everything we can for him. He's really responding to kindness.”
Kelly is hoping that a pound facility can be set up in Cork city for horses and there are plans to have online meetings with local and national politicians about the issues MLHR is seeing with equine care and welfare.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald said a lot of people in the Hollyhill area are concerned about the welfare of the horses in the locality.
“There’s huge love for animals in Cork but unfortunately some people aren't looking after or caring for their horses . I’ve written to Cork City Council for an update on how many vets we have and what is the best practice when a horse is found in a distressed state.”
MLHR rely on donations to look after the animals in its care like vet, medication, farrier, food and transport. Visit mylovelyhorserescue.com to donate.