A pony with a broken leg has been found abandoned in Hampshire on Tuesday (11 October).
The grey mare, thought to be around nine years old, was discovered alone on Bramshot Lane in Fleet.
The RSPCA was called out to see her, but discovered her injury was beyond repair. The attending vet decided that the kindest thing to do would be to put the horse to sleep to end her suffering.
“When I arrived a very kind member of the public had confined the pony and was keeping her company,” said RSPCA inspector Nicola Denham. “The poor mare was not only very thin, it was clear she was in severe pain with one of her back legs. Despite this, she was so friendly and sweet.”
The vet estimated the mare’s injury was most likely caused several weeks before from a high impact trauma, possibly caused by a vehicle.
“It is so shocking to think someone can just dump a pony like this, with such a bad injury that has now resulted in weeks of suffering,” added Inspector Denham. “Somebody has allowed this poor pony to needlessly suffer and then callously abandoned her on the roadside which is completely unacceptable.
“I am so grateful to the kind lady who found this pony, who she nicknamed Trixie, and sat comforting her until I could get a vet out. It’s extremely tough to witness an animal suffering but this lady certainly made the pony’s last hour or so more comfortable and showed her love and kindness.”
The mare was not microchipped, and the RSPCA is now appealing to the public for information to help track down the pony’s owners.
“I’m urging anybody with any information about this pony to contact me in complete confidence, by leaving me a message on our inspector’s appeal line number 0300 123 8018,” added Inspector Denham.