Protecting Ponies In Need
Have you ever been to Devon or Cornwall and enjoyed a leisurely stroll on the moors whilst admiring the breathtaking scenery, enjoying the sight of birds flying overhead, and witnessed the wild ponies grazing? Have you ever stopped to wonder what happens to these ponies when they’re sick or injured? Well, it may not be the nicest thing to hear, but often these low-value animals are shot by their farmers, who face huge vets bills to help these ‘worthless’ animals.
South West Equine Protection (SWEP) was formed over 20 years ago to help the poor, defenceless wild moorland ponies of Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor live a better life in loving and caring homes.
Gaining charitable status in 1996, SWEP was formed by Maureen Rolls and, despite the current economic climate, the charity is going from strength-to-strength. In August this year they managed to buy their first pieces of land, four four-acre fields. Adele Cassidy from SWEP told Reflect: “We’re thrilled to finally have our own land and we’re in the process of making it pony-safe at the moment. We have to apply for planning permission, but we hope to build our own livery yard, indoor school, round pen and specialised foal stable on the land. With 16 acres to work with, there’s plenty of room to accommodate everything we know the ponies need and everything we want to help as many moorland ponies as we can.”
SWEP are dedicated to the welfare and general well- being of Devon and Cornwall’s wild moorland ponies; they respond to call-outs and complaints of cruelty and abandonment, as well as concerns about equine welfare, for both wild moorland or privately owned ponies. All ponies rescued by SWEP are signed over to the charity in a legally binding contract, ensuring the pony’s welfare for the remainder of its life.
Once the ponies are fit and well, they are re-homed on a loan scheme to residents across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. Anyone applying to become a loan home must first fill out a SWEP application form. If SWEP are happy with the application, they match the applicant with an animal and carry out a home inspection. Once everyone is happy, a contract is signed stating that the pony is loaned to them on a permanent basis but remains the property of SWEP.
Adele added: “Unfortunately, one area in which the current economic instability has hit us is with our loan families; the first thing to go when families are struggling is the luxuries and companion ponies for their horses is one of those luxuries. We’ve had a lot of loan ponies returned to us – we’re currently looking after 40 ponies, which is the most we’ve ever had.”
As a small charity, SWEP are always in need of funds, loan homes and even volunteers. One way in which you can help is through their membership scheme; membership costs just £15 for adults and £6.50 for children per year, but you can become a life member for just £100. As a member of SWEP, you’ll get a regular newsletter updating you on the work carried out by SWEP and the ponies they’ve helped.
SWEP have had a very busy 2011 following the harsh winter of 2010/11, as Adele explained: “We’ve now got a Welfare Officer who makes regular visits to the moors to investigate the calls we receive. I think that has led to
an increase in the number of ponies we’re bringing in. Last winter was ok, the ponies managed to survive, but it affected them come spring time; there were a lot of thin mares, who were trying to produce milk for their foals as well as feed themselves. There was one instance on Bodmin Moor where a herd of 19 mares and foals had to be taken in by a larger charity after much campaigning and press attention from us. They were in a very poor state, but SWEP just weren’t in a position to help. Foals need so much extra help and many of the mares who didn’t already have foals were pregnant; as a small charity we didn’t have the resources to take them in but we found another charity that could. We work hard with local trading standards and DEFRA to ensure the ponies on our moors are well; we want them to be there for many years to come.”
For more information on South West Equine Protection (SWEP), please call 01822 854823 or email
mail@swep.org.uk
Alternatively, log onto
www.swep.org.uk
To make a donation to South West Equine Protection (SWEP), please complete this donation form.
10 Whats On 2012
Please return this form to: South West Equine Protection, Unit B5, Torland Court Yelverton Business Park, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7PE. Reg Charity Number: 1087579
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