Achi news desk-
When Clydesdale horse Seamus was found starving in a grassless field, it was touch and go to see if he would survive.
The rare Scottish breed is usually associated with pulling heavy farm machinery, but Seamus was so weak he could barely carry himself.
With bare patches of flesh where there should have been a thick chestnut coat, he was desperately trying to forage for any morsel of food in a grassless field.
The 15-year-old horse was gratefully rescued by World Horse Welfare from the hill field by Seema Ritson and received intensive care at the charity’s Rescue and Rehoming Center in Lancashire.
Seamus, a Clydesdale horse, arrived at the rehoming centre.
He was so starved staff were worried if he would survive.
Now after eight months, Seamus has fully recovered and has been successfully rehomed back to his native Scotland.
‘When I saw Seamus I was shocked to see a huge skeleton, with bare pieces of flesh where there should have been a thick chestnut coat. I could see that he had to crane his neck through the fence to get to any bit of feed, but this was simply not enough to support him,’ said Seema.
Over a period of eight months Seamus slowly recovered and his calm disposition, which continued despite his previous neglect, meant that Seamus was quickly rehomed once he recovered.
As the UK’s largest horse rehoming charity, World Horse Welfare rehabilitates the horses and ponies that come into its four rescue and rehoming centers with the intention of finding them loving new homes .
Seamus was rehomed in Scotland by Nikky who had previous experience with Thoroughbreds and Highland Ponies but Seamus was his first heavy breed.
Seamus ready to be rehomed after eight months.
‘Even though we are experienced with horses, looking after a Clydesdale has been as big a learning curve as him,’ he said. Transport was a bit difficult due to his size, but we found an experienced transporter of Clydesdales to bring him home to Scotland.
‘We can’t thank World Horse Welfare enough for giving him the chance of life and entrusting him with his aftercare.’
Now facing the charity’s latest fundraising appeal, Seamus is one of hundreds of horses that are rescued and re-homed by World Horse Welfare every year.
‘Previous donations helped make this rescue possible – so thank you from the bottom of my heart,’ said Seema.
‘We can only do this thanks to donations from those who care about horses, and we really need to be there for so many more horses like Seamus. Donations could help us rescue horses in need and provide them with 24-hour care, rehabilitation and a brighter future. Any amount can be truly life changing.’
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