A prize-winning show pony was once a neglected horse that was “left to die” by the side of a road in the Republic of Ireland.
When Woody, a seven-year-old stallion, was discovered last year in County Tipperary, he was in very bad condition.
The young horse, employed for sulky racing, was said to have fallen from tiredness by an eyewitness.
Sulky racing is prohibited on Irish public roads, despite the fact that sulkys are tiny, horse-drawn carts that are often used for transportation and amusement.
the Irish police, or gardaÃ, were summoned to Clonmel to assist the ailing animal.
Officers then got in touch with My Lovely Horse Rescue, an animal welfare organisation with a chapter in County Cork.
“I said, ‘Will there be a real horse here?’ recalled Woody’s rescue coordinator, volunteer Kelly Mellerick. thus it didn’t seem well. His ribs were clearly evident, his muscular tone was severely weak, and he seemed to be dehydrated and somewhat worn out.She clarified that the undernourished horse was unsuited to the level of effort put in by grumpy runners.
According to the complaints given to the GardaÃ, the individuals involved had reportedly grabbed their leash and trap, ran off, and left him there.
After being returned to the nonprofit’s farm in Cork, Woody was given a feeding schedule in an attempt to restore his health. We had to do a lot of hand walking with him since both of his rear legs were really swollen in order to keep him flexible and mobile, Ms. Mellerick said.
An new house
In order to care for and find homes for abandoned horses, the organisation relies on a network of foster carers.
Woody met 13-year-old Orianna while he was recovering; she was in need of a new pony.
As soon as I walked into the garden and saw him, I knew he was the one for me. His eyes are the softest, and his disposition is so peaceful. Really, he’s a lovely pony, and I spent the whole day taking care of him.”
Woody’s new owner was found with assistance from Kelsie Montague, a volunteer who fosters horses for the organisation; she is now helping the youngster train Woody.
Ms. Montague said, “He’s so well-behaved, and he and Orianna have just clicked.”
“She spends her days with him, doing everything from grooming to bathing to cleaning out stables.”
The horse recovered remarkably after receiving months of care and attention from Orianna and his carers.
Ms. Montague said that on one of their first excursions, she struggled to match Woody’s newly discovered vigour.
“He took off like a rocket, enjoying nothing more than driving about on the roads and peeping into people’s yards and such. He cherished it to the hilt.”
Woody and Orianna participated in a pony competition at the Cork Summer Show last weekend, and they took second place in their division.
Woody finished second in the “In Hand Rescue Pony class” for equines who were adopted from an Irish rescue institution.
Orianna said, “I didn’t really expect to come in second, especially since it was both of our first shows and I think we were both kind of nervous about it.”
“But when she gave me the rosette, I was ecstatic—I was really taken aback.”\
Woody is one of the hundreds of animals that the My Lovely Horse Rescue Charity has helped to rescue. Sisters Martina and Deborah Kenny, together with their friend Cathy Davey, started it.
The three animal enthusiasts decided to attempt to assist after being very affected by the sight of abandoned horses in Dublin.
They now care for horses at their three locations in addition to pigs, goats, cats, dogs, hedgehogs, and other ill or abandoned animals.The TV series Father Ted served as the inspiration for the organization’s name.
Father Ted composes a song in one of the show’s most well-liked episodes with the intention of having it selected as Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest entry.
