THE Mare and Foal Sanctuary has rescued its largest group of ponies to date.

Fourteen neglected ponies have been given a second chance at life after being rescued by a Devon-based equine charity.

The group, initially from a herd of more than 100 animals, was part of a welfare case and among the last to be rescued from a site in the south west in an operation that included the RSPCA and Blue Cross.

The 14 young colts, fillies, and a mare and her foal were taken straight to the sanctuary’s rehabilitation site in Newton Abbot.

All were quarantined and their health and welfare needs assessed thoroughly.

The sanctuary has been rescuing horses and ponies for 28 years but the latest arrivals are the largest number it has taken in at once.

Head of equine Sally Burton explained: ‘Thirteen of the 14 ponies were completely unhandled on arrival and had never had any routine health care.

‘However, in just two-and-a-half weeks our grooms have managed not only to catch all of these ponies but handle them well enough to enable our vet to get blood samples from every single pony and microchip almost all of them.

‘It’s very important to give each pony a thorough health check, and not just for their own benefit.’

She continued:?‘With so many rescued horses and ponies in our care, blood sampling is one of the routine measures we take to ensure the new arrivals are not carrying any contagious diseases such as strangles before they are able to join the resident herd.

‘The grooms have shown a lot of dedication in getting these ponies to start to trust them and let them know they are in a safe place, but the hard work has only just begun.

‘Each one will go through rehabilitation and training before going up for rehoming in the future.

‘It takes a huge amount of time and patience but it’s so rewarding when you get to see them head off to a new home.’

The sanctuary is keen to rehome more of its residents – there are currently 28 horses and ponies available and looking for loving homes and more will be ready soon.

Ms Burton said: ‘If you can offer a home to one of our horses or ponies please contact us. the more we rehome the more we can rescue.’

The sanctuary houses 316 horses and ponies, out of which 164 are living at loan homes across the south west.

It can offer advice and support to carers at all times and will always provide a home for the ponies on loan if they need to return.