Rescued pony adopts orphaned foal

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A rescued pony who lost her own newborn has adopted an orphaned foal.

Lightning arrived at World Horse Welfare's Belwade Farm in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, earlier this year and her own foal had to be put to sleep.

But the horse had now adopted orphaned Jerry and is said to be proving a "fantastic foster mum".

Centre manager Eileen Gillen said: "Lightning has been through so much and is amazing. It was a special moment. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."

Lightning was among several ponies rescued from poor conditions in January.

We all held our breath as they were carefully introduced to one another but to our relief Lightning took to him straight away Eileen GillenBelwade Farm

She was pregnancy tested as one of the group was a stallion, but the results came back negative.

Staff noticed she was putting on more weight than the others over the months and decided to test her again, but it remained negative.

So it came as a surprise when staff came across the animal with a foal in July.

Ms Gillen said: "We couldn't believe it when we found Lightning had given birth, especially after two negative tests.

"But sadly after a couple of days it became apparent that the foal was brain damaged and we had no option but to put her to sleep."

They later contacted the National Foaling Bank in Shropshire and Jerry was brought to Aboyne.

Eileen added: "We all held our breath as they were carefully introduced to one another but to our relief Lightning took to him straightaway and has been a fantastic foster mum.

"She even lifts her hind leg to allow him to suckle more easily."

Jerry will stay at Belwade Farm until he is old enough to be weaned and returned to his owners, and the aim is to have Lightening rehomed as soon as she is ready.