Twenty-three ponies have been taken in by the Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Devon after a multi-agency operation to assist and improve the welfare of the animals on Bodmin Moor.

The ponies are being cared for at the Sanctuary’s Veterinary and Welfare Centre, Beech Trees, for initial health assessments and veterinary treatment and when they are ready will continue their rehabilitation at the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary says no formal identification of the ponies and a lack of enforcement of current laws has led to ponies being abandoned or illegally grazed on areas of the Moor.

Of the 23 ponies, eight arrived in August from the Minions area of Bodmin and all were in a very poor condition, said the Sanctuary.

Underweight and suffering from very high worm and parasite burdens, one colt died within 24 hours. Another was so debilitated that for the first month he had to be lifted up every day as he was too weak to stand himself; now he is recovering well.

The other 15 ponies including an orphaned foal, all arrived in September following the operation led by Redwings Horse Sanctuary and RSPCA in collaboration with the Bodmin Moor Commons Council.

More than 160 ponies were rounded up for deworming, delousing and microchipping to formally identify the ponies on East Moor and find homes for those that went “unclaimed” by owners.

Executive Director Syra Bowden said: ‘It is fantastic to be a part of an operation like this, where National Equine Welfare Council members are working together to tackle some of the big areas of concern. Ponies on East Moor have suffered incredibly over recent winters, and many have died because of poor conditions and lack of care.

‘With the hard work from Nic De Brauwere at Redwings and Julie Dowton at the Commoners Council, all the ponies remaining on East Moor stand a much better chance this winter. We would also like to thank our wonderful supporters as it’s due to them that we are able to rescue so many.’

To help them pay for the cost of caring for the ponies the Sanctuary has set up a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/mareandfoal