Mini horse had no food, no water, and 'bred back' on her body at auction, then left with her foal

At an auction, a frightened mini horse stood in a pen with her foal while writing on the mother's body hinted that her suffering could continue. 

Staci Wilson, director of Ridgetop Rescue, decided she could not simply walk away from the duo.

Here's what to know

The Dodo reported that Mary Jane, a miniature horse, quickly drew Wilson's attention. 

"When we first saw them, it was heartbreaking," she recalled. "Both scared and standing in the corner of the pen. We decided to rescue them right away. I knew I wouldn't be leaving the auction without them."

Ridgetop shared pictures and an account of the rescue in a Facebook post.

The mini horse was confined with her foal, Moose, without food or water. The words "bred back" were written on her body, indicating she might be pregnant again. Wilson had come to the auction to find animals that needed help, and this was it.

With the rescue secured, Wilson headed to her minivan, and a person in the parking lot helped her get the two horses inside and settled for the return trip. The trip back took about three hours.

More background

Once there, a veterinarian examined the pair and found that while Moose was healthy, his mother was having a much harder time. Helping her baby was clearly taking a toll on her.

Mary Jane was very thin, missing teeth, and dealing with a twisted back leg. The note written on her body also raised concern that, even in that weakened condition, she could be carrying another foal.

Even with Mary Jane's health issues, Wilson said the pair seemed to change almost immediately once they were somewhere safer.

"They both reacted so well to their new home, it was amazing to see," Wilson told The Dodo. "They seem content and relieved to be in a stable and safe environment."

What's being done?

Rescues can help vulnerable animals that have nowhere to turn when they become a burden to their former owners. In Ridgetop's post, Wilson provided a donation link for those who want to help with their care.

In this case, Wilson's priority is caring for Mary Jane and letting her recuperate, especially if she's in for another foal.

"We will test for pregnancy in a month or so when she settles in and feels better," Wilson explained to the outlet.

The two are settling in at Ridgetop, where they don't have to worry about being sold off in a hectic environment. Instead, the focus is on nurturing the young family, as it potentially grows. The Facebook post indicated the mom is likely to stay at the rescue for the remainder of her days, while the baby might be adoptable one day.

"They are doing well and seem to be thriving," Wilson concluded to The Dodo.

Where can I learn more?

Horses and other young animals can quickly end up in danger. That can be especially significant, as many breeds are under pressure.

• In England, rescuers carried out a delicate tractor-tire rescue after a pony became completely wedged.

• At the Bronx Zoo, a rare foal's birth marked a comeback for Przewalski's horses.

• In the Great Lakes region, Ojibwe ponies rebounded from the brink and returned home.

• In Portugal, conservationists warned ancient Garrano ponies could disappear without urgent protection.

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