An orphaned thoroughbred foal called Jerry who was fostered by a rescued mare at British-based World Horse Welfare has been reunited with his grateful owner.
When Jerry lost his own mother last August, his worried owner contacted the National Foaling Bank to see if it could find him a surrogate mum.
At around the same time, staff at World Horse Welfare's recovery and rehabilitation centre at Belwade Farm in Aboyne were caring for Lightning, a grey Welsh Mountain pony who had given birth to a very sick foal.
Unfortunately, the foal could not be saved and centre manager Eileen Gillen contacted the National Foaling Bank to see if Lightning might be able to help another foal. Jerry had himself a surrogate mum.
Gillen recalls: "The next day Jerry was brought to Belwade Farm and we all held our breath as he was carefully introduced to Lightning, but to our relief she took to him straight away.
"Despite her traumatic past, she has been the most fantastic foster mum and when Jerry grew bigger than her, she used to lift her hind leg to allow him to suckle more easily.
"Jerry has now been weaned and the time has come to return him to his owner. We are so pleased that we were able to help and of course we are immensely proud of Lightning."
Lightning arrived at World Horse Welfare in January 2009, after she and five other thin and lice-ridden ponies were found living among car batteries, broken wood and metal.
It is hoped that she will soon be rehomed through the charity's loan scheme.
 Jerry on arrival at World Horse Welfare's Belwade Farm. |
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