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Trallwm Farm Animal Sanctuary
It all started in Hampshire, when Lady Lesley Cooper,
who was heavily involved with several Dog Rescue Centres, received
a phone call asking if she would buy a rescue horse. After politely
explaining that this encourages people to sell neglected horses
instead of giving them to a charity, the same caller phoned several
times with reduced price tags, until she said "Can you take
him he will be shot otherwise".
The horse, Wilber, was very ill and the only man willing and able
to help was Kevin Scott, a man used to moving top class bloodstock,
but also devoted to the welfare of all horses. When he saw the dreadful
state of this poor animal, he was whizzed across the Home Counties
to us by Kevin. Although we had horses and were heavily involved
in dog rescue, seeing this horse changed the whole course of things!
His feet were so overgrown that he needed emergency farrier work
so he could stand up. Once his feet were sorted the next problem
was that he needed condition and some muscle to support him, if
you have an under sevens footballer in your home just check out
the bony legs and that would be Wilber!
He had had the same rug on for many months so his skin was pretty
grotty, his eyes were infected and sunken, and the sadness within
was evident to any horse lover.
Lesley continues.....
"Well, he survived, much to the amazement of local riders,
and we ended up with a 15.1hh, pure white, pink skinned horse called
Wilber that could hobble!
Two days after he came to us, a family bereavement meant that Wilber
became a very important sponge for mopping up my daughters tears.
We started dragging him out for short walks until he gained muscle
and flexibility and we had his tomb stone teeth filed so he could
start eating again. A year later he had a birthday party complete
with carrot cake!
Because
of our success and reputation with Wilber, more horses started flooding
in. I figured there had to be a better way of doing this so I started
the loan and rescue list on the Internet. Any animal needing a home
could be matched up to a kind or caring new owner. Any horse risking
being shot came to us with the help of Kevin. So then we ran out
of space, which led me to buy Trallwm Farm, halfway up a mountain
in Carmarthenshire, Wales. So, at the last count we have fourteen
horses marauding about having fun as part of their own herd!"
Heres
a brief resume of some of the animals at Trallwm Farm today:
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Magan
the Dragon
Who is a gorgeous little bay Falabella. He's only three but
he's been out for little walks on the road and will make the
most fantastic pony for a child. He was fat as a barrel but
is losing weight. He was the companion of a 30yr old Shetland
mare who sadly was put down because of severe Laminitis. The
owner didn't know what to do with Magan so he was going to be
shot too. He is a lovely natured little person and will make
a great child's friend when he is grown a bit. Meantime he goes
all googly eyed
when Emma, one of our other residences, flashes a leg which
at least gives him lots of exercise keeping up. |
the
foals pictured before their rescue |
The
two Foals
These two little chaps were the ones we helped rescued from
living next to a main road and marauding through a council estate
on late night snack reccies. The police asked that they be moved
before they caused a road accident. They are now about 10 months
old and until they went to the rescue that took them in, were
very wary of people. They are full of fun and mischief. The
little Chestnut should make 13.2hh and I would think the grey
about 12.2hh. Because of their tender age and background they
will only be going to very experienced people who can provide
them with a future as riding ponies. |
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Irish
Shortly a beautiful young mare will arrive here to join the
herd. She was imported from Arizona and is a Missouri Foxtrotter.
After she arrived she showed signs of lameness and has been
investigated at NewMarket. She may or may not became sound but
no real prognosis has been reached. She is only 4 years old.
She has developed behavior traits that require her to have a
very long holiday with the rest of the maniacs up here on the
mountain. She needs to go back to being a horse and forget about
work. Irish is very strong mentally and needs to learn manners
within a natural herd. It is possible that in the future if
she improves and settles, she may be able to be rehomed with
someone who can truly understand her and on a one to one basis.
However for the long term foreseeable future she will remain
here within our herd. |
Other
residents!
We also have a collection of rescued piggies, goats and an assortment
of other farm livestock!
Many of these animals were kept as pets by owners who realised they
were unable to provide the space and care needed, others were less
fortunate having met with vicious dogs or victims of accidents.
Some of these animals are open to rehoming, but only to experienced
owners with smallholding homes.
Our
Aims
We are always seeking experienced homes, we want all of our animals
to live loved lives. We ask people who wish to rehome animals to
call us due to the sheer quantity of requests we get. We take rehoming
very seriously as we want the horse to remain in a permanant home
with the right people.
For this reason when people call us we will 'vet' them and try to
find the correct horse for them. We ask adopters to make a donation
to our work when taking home an animal, we also welcome private
donations and fundraising schemes to finance the Sanctuary and ensure
that we can continue to make a difference.
We will also be there for animals and adoptive owners with advice
if things do go wrong, and encourage them to keep in touch with
their progress.
We will always take on any animal in an emergency. We dont refuse
any needy case and are always willing to help out in a crisis where
animals have become the victims.
We have our rescue cases checked out by our vet and farrier to ensure
they have the best chance.
We also hope, in the future, to run Holiday Breaks at Trallwm where
people can see the horses, learn to milk the goats, make cheese,
feed the piglets, and generally understand our work.
If
you would like to find out more about Trallwm Farm, and see photos
of some of the residents, visit http://www.trallwmfarm.co.uk,
we are also contactable on 08707 469232.
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