Rescued ponies get a second chance at life as owners are banned from keeping horses

Three ponies who came into our care as part of a distressing case in which two other horses were put to sleep on welfare grounds, have found new homes where they are now thriving.

Skylar, Ebony and Pixie were part of a group of nine horses rescued from a location near Doncaster. All nine of the horses had major health problems and were being kept in unsuitable, unsanitary conditions.

The pair responsible for their care, Ann Duckitt (65) of Doncaster and John Watson (48) of Darlington, have since been banned from keeping equines for ten years following prosecution by the RSPCA.

Our Field Officer, Sarah Tucker, visited Ann Duckitt’s home and locations nearby to check on the welfare of the horses in 2023. She said:

“We had been visiting the location for several years, advising and educating the owners in the hope that the situation would improve. Most owners are usually happy and willing to work with us, actioning our recommendations to improve the lives of their ponies, but on this occasion the advice had gone unheeded to the point the ponies were actually suffering. Unfortunately, the only outcome to this case was to assist in removing the ponies alongside the police and RSPCA.”

An equine vet who examined the horses reported that all of them had overgrown hooves, some were so severe that the hooves were curling under or over the foot, making them lame. Others had thrush, infections and maggots in their feet, with others suffering from ulcerated mouths, and infestations of mites.

In the opinion of the vet, five of the horses had been caused unnecessary suffering, and it was likely that the remaining four would have suffered too. And sadly, two of the worst affected horses had to be euthanised.

For the three ponies who arrived into the care of our team at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire, the future is looking much brighter as all have been given a second chance at life in loving new homes.

Penny Farm Manager, Adam Cummins, said:

“Our main priority, as soon as the trio arrived was to get them all back up to full health with good nutrition.

“Ebony was in foal when she arrived, and she gave birth on Good Friday last year, so the team called the filly foal Bunny.

“Once she had been weaned, Bunny was paired up with an orphaned foal Mildred and the two formed an amazing bond. Having been nursed by our grooms when she first arrived , Mildred is now in a field learning how to interact with other equines and be a horse. And Bunny has settled into life on the farm and is a firm favourite with our visitors.”

“We are delighted that Ebony, Skylar and Pixie have now all been rehomed. Ebony has gone to a new home as a child’s project pony, Skyler is in a home where she will eventually be brought in to work and Pixie is in a loving home as a companion. They all have very bright futures ahead of them.”

As well as the ban Ann Duckitt was also sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 80 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £400.00 and a Victim Surcharge of £154.00. In addition to his ban, John Watson was also sentenced to 15 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 40 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay costs of £750.00 and a Victim Surcharge of £154.00.