Animal

Ava the orphaned pony is so tiny even her teddy bear is bigger than her


Ava is smaller than her teddy! (Picture: Mare and Foal Sanctuary /SWNS.COM)

Rescuers are fighting to save the life of a tiny orphaned Dartmoor pony who is smaller than the teddy bear given to her to keep her company in quarantine.

The pony, named Ava, was orphaned after her mother died. She’s now being nursed around the clock after being found terrified and alone.

The mare and foal sanctuary says it is facing a race against time to keep Ava alive.

Ava still has breathing difficulties and is being fed every two hours and is being given antibiotics.

And at just a few weeks old, she is smaller than the giant teddy bear she has been given to keep her company.

She is in the full-time care of the dedicated team at the Sanctuary’s Beech Trees centre near Newton Abbot, Devon.

Quarantine manager Nicola Weall said: ‘Because of Ava’s young age and fragile health, she is getting 24-hour care with the Sanctuary’s grooms taking it in turns to stay overnight and monitor CCTV cameras – and doing everything they can to comfort her.

She’s currently receiving around-the-clock care (Picture: Mare and Foal Sanctuary /SWNS.COM)

‘Ava is still undergoing tests, but with antibiotics and nutrient rich formula it is hoped she will soon turn a corner.

‘She is being bottle fed as we don’t hand rear. The bottles are attached to a feeder so she can help herself. It’s important she doesn’t associate us with her milk.

‘We also set boundaries while handling her. We don’t want her to think it’s ok to try to climb all over us. Being overly affectionate to a foal can cause behavioural issues. When they get a lot bigger it can, in fact, prove dangerous.’

Head of equine Sally Burton said: ‘We are doing everything we can to keep Ava comfortable. Losing her mother at such a young age would have caused her to deteriorate both physically and mentally.

‘At just a few weeks old foals are reliant on their mother’s milk. So, we are feeding her every two hours around the clock. We’re all glad she was found and rescued. Now she just needs time and a lot of care.’

Nicola added: ‘When she first arrived, she was very nervous. She hadn’t had much to do with humans and she kept turning her back and didn’t like being handled.

‘But now she’s enjoying the occasional good scratch. She’s also nibbling hay and grass and getting used to her surroundings.

‘She’s a really bright little thing. Which is great to see after what she’s been through. Now all we can do is support her as best we can and hope she gets stronger.’

MORE: National Orgasm Day: Do men have a G-spot and where is it?

MORE: Tiny dog can finally enjoy her dinner after having her wonky jaw fixed





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.