Tiny Pam highlights potentially uncertain future of foals

Skewbald Shetland foal Pam was born at our Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, in Somerset, in July after her mother, Sophie, was rescued last September. Pam and Sophie’s futures are secure now, but we’re urging would-be breeders to stop and think about whether they can guarantee a home-bred foal a safe future.

“Adorable foals like Pam are – unsurprisingly! – very popular with our visitors,” says Centre Manager Claire Dickie. “Thankfully, Pam arrived safely without needing veterinary intervention, but foals do present a huge cost to our charity, from initial vet visits – whether routine or emergency – to vaccinations, and microchipping and passporting them. The group Sophie came in with arrived unhandled and were very nervous but, having been born in safety, tiny Pam has had good experiences from day one. She’s already very confident and has taken meeting the vet in her stride.

“Both Pam and her mum have a safe future now, but I’d urge anyone considering breeding their own foal to stop and really think about whether they can guarantee them a good home for life. It’s very easy to think that if you’re only breeding a small number of foals – whether one a year or even one in your lifetime – that you’re not having a significant impact on the number of horses out there looking for homes. However, in reality there are thousands of people doing the same each year which adds up to a huge number of extra horses.”

With so much to consider when making the decision to breed with the intention to sell or rehome a foal or young horse, we’ve launched a quiz to help owners bust some common horse breeding myths and assess whether they really do “Need to Breed”. Some of the facts, figures, and costs may just surprise would-be breeders – anyone interested can have a go at the quiz on our ‘Need to breed’ page.

 With nine foals born in the charity’s centres so far this year – including a miracle foal born after her mum was rescued from being smuggled out of the country – and two orphan foals being rescued, World Horse Welfare is incurring significant costs for those eleven alone. You can support Pam’s ongoing care, as well as to help other vulnerable horses rescued by World Horse Welfare, here.