12/11/2024
Elijah- our little miracle!
Early on a Monday morning we received a call about a mare (female horse) that has passed away next to the road in Swaneville, with a foal (baby) with her, still drinking. We must please come and fetch the foal as the owner is nowhere to be found.
Trainee Inspector Matthews and assistant Micheal rushed out. When they arrived the mare was still alive, barely, but still alive. A very angry crowd refusing them to do anything grew bigger by the minute waiting for the situation to escalate. Matthews called Manager Inspector René who immediately rushed out. Luckily the state veterinarians also received calls and were also on their way. When they all arrived the vets did quick annalize and found the mare and severe billary and the foal is barely 8 weeks old. The owner was no where to be found but the crowd was insisting on just giving the mother an injection or find a replacement (bring them another, healthy horse). It was clear that the humane thing to do was to humanely euthanize the mother as there were unfortunately no turn around from the condition she was in.
René then called for back up to assist with crowd control for the safety of the team and the animals. Thank you to Car track members Hennie and partner who was on scene within minutes.
René and the state veterinarians then proceeded to relieve the mother from her suffering. The crowd then grapped the foal and ran. Mattews and Michael immediately chased after them. René and the car track team shortly behind them. They eventually caught them and with a lot of confrontations they managed to load the foal and rush out of the area to safety.
With a very traumatised foal in the back of our vehicle, we knew we did not have the facilities nor knowledge to take care of such a fragile creature. To start with, he will need to be bottle fed every 2/3hours.
René contacted Lighthouse Equestrian Centre, who provides therapeutical services and does amazing work for both humans and animals, asking if they are willing to take in the young foal.
Knowing the massive responsibility they are taking in, everyone jumped into action to get milk and everything ready the foal will need to survive.
With open arms they took him in. He was obviously very traumatised and weak upon arrival and took a few hours to calm down. They took him into their house for the first night. They slept in the stall with him, bottle feeding him through all the hours of day and night.
It was a touch and go, but thanks to the hard work and compassion from the Lighthouse team, he settled in.
After further veterinarian examination it was established he was actually only 4 weeks old.
He who is now named Elijah, is now 7 weeks and doing amazing.
He was truly saved.
We want to thank the Lighthouse Equestrian Centre team from the bottom of our hearts for taking Elijah in, giving him such a beautiful name. Giving him life. We know it was a life changing decision for your team.
We want to also thank Marinda from Landros in Rustenburg who immediately donated funds towards Elijah's milk, which is very expensive, right after she heard about him. She made sure he have enough milk for atleast a month.
Elijah will need a lot of expenses covered for the next couple of months.
Please help us by donating?🙏🏻
Standard bank
022 0701 09
SPCA Westonaria
Business account
Reference: Elijah
Thank you!❤️
