Hot Issues
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SOUTH WEST EQUINE PROTECTION |
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| Apart from immediate welfare problems, SWEP is also campaigning to raise the profile of some of the underlying issues that contribute to them. Road Deaths SWEP and local farmers are increasingly concerned by the growing number of livestock deaths on Dartmoor's roads. In one week, 5 ponies, 2 cow  s and 2 ewes were killed. This, sadly typical, case of a Dartmoor foal left paralysed to die by the roadside after a collision with a car, prompted the Western Morning News to launch its 'Moorcare' appeal to urge drivers to slow down across the moors. Following a successful trials in the New Forest by the ILPH, reflective collars were made available through the National Park Authority. When fitted correctly these have proved effective but, unfortunately there have been cases where ponies have caught a hind foot in the collar. If incorrectly fitted they can be turned inside out in the process of having a good scratch! (See our picture on the left). We have recently seen another idea using strands of reflective tape stitched or tied into the tail. We would be very interested to hear how well this works. .... more Moorland Pony Welfare  This mare is starving, and it is by no means an isolated case. Unfortunately we are seeing an increasing number of moorland ponies in this kind of condition. For hundreds of years our native pony breeds have thrived despite the very rigorous demands of life on the open moor. It seems that, as the market for these ponies has collapsed, some owners are failing to provide their stock with the supplementary feeding and routine care that would ensure that they do not suffer like this mare. SWEP is starting an investigation into the extent of this problem, locally and nationally and trying to find examples of good practice which can be shared. More Soon SWEP Home of our Own Appeal .... more |