Fundraising , UK Rescue

Return to Scottish homeland for giant ‘skeleton’ of a horse, Seamus

Posted on 21/03/2024

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

A 15-year-old Clydesdale horse called Seamus was discovered slowly starving to death in a field with no grass. The gentle giant was so starved when he was found that it was touch-and-go as to whether he would survive. Thanks to the intensive care he received at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Seamus has made a full recovery and been successfully rehomed back to his native country of Scotland.

“When I saw Seamus I was shocked to see a giant skeleton, with bare patches of flesh where there should have been a thick, brown coat. I could see he’d had to crane his neck through the fence to reach any morsel of forage, but this was simply not enough to sustain him.”
Field Officer Seema Ritson who rescued Seamus from the hillside field.

Over the course of eight months Seamus slowly recovered at our Lancashire centre and his placid temperament, which persisted despite his previous neglect, meant that Seamus was quickly rehomed when ready.

Seamus’ rehomer Nikky had previous experience with Thoroughbreds and Highland Ponies but Seamus was her first heavy breed.

“Although we are experienced with horses, caring for a Clydesdale has been a learning curve as big as him! Transport was a bit tricky due to his size, but we found an experienced transporter of Clydesdales to bring him home to Scotland. We cannot thank World Horse Welfare enough for giving him a chance of life and entrusting us with his follow-on care.”
Seamus’ rehomer, Nikky

“Previous donations helped make this rescue possible – so thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s only thanks to donations from those that care about horses that we are able to do this, and we desperately need to be there for so many more horses like Seamus. Donations could help us rescue horses in need and provide them with round the clock care, rehabilitation and a brighter future. Any amount can be truly lifechanging.”
Seema Ritson

Now the face of our latest fundraising appeal, Seamus is just one of hundreds of horses rescued and rehomed by us every year.