A neglected horse that was “left to die” by the side of a road in the Republic of Ireland is now a prize-winning show horse.
Seven-year-old stallion Woody was in terrible shape when he was found in County Tipperary last year.
An eyewitness said that the young horse, which was used for sulky racing, had fallen due to exhaustion.
Despite the fact that sulkys are small, horse-drawn carts that are frequently used for transportation and entertainment, sulky racing is not permitted on Irish public roads.
To help the sick animal, the Irish police, or garda, were called to Clonmel.
Officers then contacted My Lovely Horse Rescue, an organization dedicated to animal welfare with a branch in County Cork.
“I questioned, ‘Will there be a real horse here?’” Volunteer Kelly Mellerick, who coordinated Woody’s rescue, remembered. So it didn’t appear to be good. His muscle tone was really weak, his ribs were plainly visible, and he appeared to be both dehydrated and slightly exhausted.She made it clear that the starved horse was not up to the degree of effort put in by cranky racers.
The persons involved allegedly seized their leash and trap, fled, and left him there, according to the allegations made to the Garda.
The organization depends on a network of foster caregivers to look for and find homes for abandoned horses.
While he was getting well, Woody met Orianna, a 13-year-old girl who was in need of a new pony.
I knew he was the one for me as soon as I entered the garden and saw him. His demeanor is very serene, and his eyes are the nicest. He’s a really nice pony, and I spent the entire day caring for him.
A volunteer for the group who fosters horses helped find Woody’s new owner and is now working with the kid to teach him. Kelsie Montague.
He’s so well-behaved, and he and Orianna have really bonded, said Ms. Montague.
She works with him throughout the day, taking care of everything from grooming to bathing to cleaning the stables.
After receiving months of care and attention from Orianna and his caregivers, the horse made a remarkable recovery.
On one of their first outings, Ms. Montague claimed that she found it difficult to match Woody’s recently acquired vigor.
“He shot off like a rocket, enjoying nothing more than cruising the streets and looking into people’s yards and the like. He treasured it utterly.
Last weekend, Woody and Orianna competed in a pony competition at the Cork Summer Show, where they placed second in their category.
In the “In Hand Rescue Pony class” for horses that were adopted from an Irish rescue organization, Woody came in second place.
As Orianna stated, “I didn’t really expect to come in second, especially since it was both of our first shows and I think we were both kind of nervous about it.”
But I was overjoyed when she handed me the rosette—I was truly surprised.
Matt Mills Reining Horses
One of the many animals that the My Lovely Horse Rescue Charity has assisted in saving is Woody. It was established by the sisters Martina and Deborah Kenny and their friend Cathy Davey.
The sight of abandoned horses in Dublin deeply moved the three animal lovers, who made the decision to try to help.
At its three facilities, they now also take care of pigs, goats, cats, dogs, hedgehogs, and other sick or abandoned animals in addition to horses.The name of the group was influenced by the TV show Father Ted.
In one of the most popular episodes of the series, Father Ted writes a song with the goal of getting it chosen as Ireland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
