Y Galeri Caerffili
Ground Floor Caerphilly Visitor Centre
Caerphilly
CF83 1JL
The Cross Inn
Church Road
Gelligear
CF82 8FW
A DONATION from the sale of each print goes to The Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies based in Monmouthshire.
With the permission of the Rhymney and Bedwellty Commoners Association, the society have recently carried out a pony contraception programme on common land in South Wales. In the winter of 2012/13, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures, 14 carcasses of dead wild mountain horses and ponies were found in one day.
There are believed to be up to 100 ponies on the common and if they are allowed to breed unchecked this number could easily double within 3 years - which would result in a culling as these ponies and horses are abandoned with no one responsible for them. The contraceptive vaccine being used should stop the mares from cycling and also works on stallions and greatly reduces their desire to breed.
Mr Philip York, General Manager of the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies, who carried out the vaccination programme said
"I am delighted to be doing something positive for such a large number of ponies on the common. The Society has for many years provided supplementary feeding to the herds on this common and has also taken into care numerous sick and injured ponies. Most have gone on to lead useful lives after rehabilitation. By carrying out a contraception programme we will see a vast reduction next year in the number of foals being born. For the first time mares will be able to go into the winter without being pregnant. The following winter they should fare even better with no foal at foot and by not being pregnant."
Vaccines cost £10 each - two vaccines are needed for the contraceptive treatment of each horse.
SWHP - Society for the Welfare of Horses & Ponies
Facebook group
http://www.swhp.co.uk/