Farm news , Rehoming , UK Rescue

Poppy is a total poppet

First foal of the year brings joy to the team at Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre

Posted on 11/04/2024

Birth of first foal from rescued ‘smuggled’ Dover 26 horses

The first foal of the year has been born without complications at our Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Somerset. Poppy, a spirited chestnut filly, was born to Parsley who arrived at the farm last October as part of a large welfare case. Despite facing numerous challenges early on, including lice, worms, and a profound fear of humans, Parsley has demonstrated remarkable resilience and embraced her role as a mother.

“Watching any foal is heartwarming, and Poppy is already showing her playful spirit. She has delighted in running around in the mud — a current challenge for us here and for many horse owners after this wet winter — and enjoying her rests after the tiring activities of being a young foal.”
Sara Jerman – Assistant Farm Manager at Glenda Spooner Farm

Poppy’s arrival is a beacon of hope and symbolises a promising future for horses that have faced neglect or abuse. We rescue approximately 300 horses annually, highlighting the critical situation in the UK where thousands of horses are in need of homes due to overbreeding. In light of this, we launched a “Do You Need to Breed?” campaign to highlight the consequences of excessive breeding and encouraging responsible horse ownership. By choosing to rehome rather than breed, horse lovers can help ensure that every horse has the chance of a safe and loving home.

Visitors are welcome at Glenda Spooner Farm where they will have the opportunity to meet many of the horses undergoing rehabilitation. The farm is open to the public from 11am to 4pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, providing an enjoyable opportunity to see the impact of our work first-hand.