A new lease of life for Costa Blanca horse

A NEGLECTED horse with crippling front hoof problems has returned to the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Rojales this week after receiving life-saving surgery in Barcelona.

The mare, named Goldie by centre founders Sue and Rod Weeding, arrived at the Rescue Centre last year with severe laminitis in both her front feet; a painful condition caused, in her case, by years of neglect. “All of her life she was kept on her own in the most horrendous circumstances and just fed rubbish,” Sue said.

Goldie was sent to Equihealth Veterinarios clinic in Barcelona in October, for specialised surgery. If the surgery had not worked the only course of action would have been to put her to sleep.

“She’s a lot more comfortable now and is able to move freely without painkillers so that’s been a huge success but she will always have to have special medical shoeing.”

Rod collected Goldie while dropping off another rescued animal requiring specialist care, Franky the donkey. As previously reported in The Euro Weekly News, Franky was found with severely malformed hooves caused by years of inadequate hoof care, including his front left hoof that had curved so far under that the donkey was walking on the equivalent of his wrist. The Equihealth Veterinarios team will attempt corrective surgery to help the hoof rotate to the correct position.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre welcomes any donations and sponsorships to help support their important work and pay for medical treatment. Every cent donated to the centre or spent in their eight charity shops, goes towards the continued care of the horses, ponies and donkeys living there.

For more information visit www.easyhorsecare.net.