Foal joy for neglected horse

Foal Alpine has only ever known love and happiness since taking her first breath - a start in life worlds apart from that her mother likely had.

Mum Strawberry arrived at Blue Cross in late 2023 having been rescued by the RSPCA in a terrible condition. It took extensive dental work and farrier treatment under sedation to get her happy on her hooves.

But the mental scars ran deeper. So, when the team discovered Strawberry was pregnant, it was a race against time to help her overcome her fears. This was vital to ensure she could be handled during the birth if needed and to enable her foal to grow up confident around humans.

Suzanne Morgan, Horse Welfare Assistant, says: “Strawberry was very nervous when she first arrived. She wouldn't come near us and ran away if we approached her.

“But after a week or so, she started to show that she liked people, and she wanted to approach us. Even though she was still scared, it was a promising start.”

From there, the team gradually began getting Strawberry used to being caught in the field and wearing a head collar before progressing on to lead training.

“It took a very, very long time to be led happily, but we just went at her pace. Then just did everything we could to give her confidence”, continues Suzanne.

Accustoming Strawberry to vet handling for routine treatment like vaccinations and blood tests, as well as getting her used to touch in places she’d likely need during birth, was also essential.

Suzanne says: “As soon as she was used to being groomed, I got her used to things like her tail being picked up and handled, and our hands under her belly. All the things that we might need to do if there were any problems during foaling.”

But, thankfully, little Alpine – aptly named after a tiny variety of strawberry – arrived in a “textbook birth” one Sunday afternoon in September last year. She was the first foal born on site at Burford since 2019.

“Strawberry was brilliant – very calm, and did everything she needed to. I just watched, monitored and made sure that there were no problems,” explains Suzanne.

“She gave birth very quick. It was all over in five or 10 minutes, which is how it should be.”

And, as hoped, mother and daughter blossomed – with brave little Alpine growing up enjoying human interaction on her terms, as her mother now does.

“It has just been wonderful. Alpine is so much like her mum and quite calm. She’s not had the upbringing that Strawberry had, which is a good thing – so, she’s not got that fear of people,” says Suzanne.

“Alpine is growing into a lovely horse. And that’s because she’s had the best start, she has the best mum and she’s in the best place. It has been lovely watching her grow and develop.”

Two years on from Alpine’s arrival, both mum and daughter are now in new homes where they continue to grow in confidence.