Pepper
Stories
Pepper came to us in 2005. When she was found she was under-weight, with part of her hoof missing. Save Equus was contacted because the RSPCA, in view of her state, had recommended she be euthanized, but her owner was looking for another alternative.
It took a long time to mend both her physical and mental injuries. She was quite feral, hated being near people and was violent with other horses. It has taken a lot of time, patience and gentle handling to get her to her current healthy state.
Pepper has recently been moved to a new foster home. After being spelled for a lengthy period, her original hoof injury is healing well and she is no longer lame. On arrival she was re-wormed and, having reverted to wild horse status, required re-acclimatising to the human environment.
She was treated for her fungal skin infection by washing with Quititch and Imaverol, a difficult job as she was not comfortable being handled, let alone washed!
When she arrived at her new location she was again quite feral, but her carers have handled and worked with her so that now she is more accepting of human contact and, in fact, seeks it out on occasion. She is feeding by hand and they are able to handle her without restraint or use of a halter. She is still very alert and is expected to stay a little bit skittish until a long term relationship/bond has been formed.
She has put on substantial weight. Her current feed regime is one and a half scoops of chaff with half a scoop of Equestrian supplement, one cup of Lucerne, and a cup of bran flakes (bran in the morning only). This is repeated in the evening, with a biscuit of oaten hay for night time.
Her coat is really glistening and her general attitude is warm and giving to contact. She has had her feet done, and a hair assessment by Antje Lopez from Balaan, who has also provided some supplements accordingly.
All in all, a completely different and unrecognisable horse from the one that came to us last year!