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Nuwara Eliya ponies and horses are casualties of flooding
View(s):Equestrian enthusiasts expressed concern over the horses and ponies in Nuwara Eliya town, as around 20 ponies perished from the cyclone destruction. Some died immediately, while others perished from floods and extreme cold.
Owners of ponies and horses said there is not enough animal feed. Flooding destroyed most of the feed supplies.
Many animals had not received feed for more than one week and instead had been feeding only on grass, which was not sufficient for their nutritional needs.
Racehorse owners had placed their animals in the care of employees.
Hasanga Jayaratne, who owns 35 horses, said that the Nuwara Eliya Race Course and the waters reached up to the necks of animals in the stables.
“The mares and foals were kept in stables at a higher elevation. The stable boys and veterinarians gave aftercare and medication to the animals. Yet the animal feed had been destroyed and washed away; therefore, we had to send feed to Nuwara Eliya,’’ he said.
Pony ride providers and owners who do not have their own stables allow animals to roam free. During the heavy downpour, this allowed them to escape the flood and find food.
Some animals had drowned and also died from the cold and wet conditions, but a greater number of ponies were saved because they had been roaming free.
The Sunday Times learns that pony ride providers release their ponies in the afternoon to allow them to graze near the Gregory Lake and then recapture the ponies for rides the next day.
A team of equestrian enthusiasts, including the two Colombo riding schools and a veterinarian, went to Nuwara Eliya to deliver essential supplies, one tonne of cattle feed, and medication donated by well-wishers. A truck carrying 4 tonnes of wheat bran was also sent by a well-known mill. Wheat bran was distributed through the local Association of Pony Ride Operators. Distributions and vet consultations were offered at Lake Gregory and at the racecourse.
Ceylon Riding Club owner Dr Ineke Pitts, a horse lover as well as an equestrian professional, told the Sunday Times that the team provided support and advice as well as food for the animals.
She said allowing ponies to roam free is common in the New Forest in the UK. Areas of natural beauty are reserved, and citizens of the town are given ‘grazing rights’ to put their ponies to graze on public areas. Dr Pitts suggested this might be something to discuss with the mayor. She also supported the idea of releasing horses and ponies in times of natural disaster because the animals themselves are capable of getting away and remaining safe more easily than a confined animal.
Nuwara Eliya Mayor Upali Wanigasekara said pony rides should be regulated to ensure animal welfare. Free-roaming ponies would be captured, and owners would be fined. Long-term solutions should be explored, he said while countering pony owners’ claim that only a fewer number of ponies died.
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