Pimms, a five year-old coloured Irish cob was purchased last autumn and has proved to be exceptional – even taking part in a sponsored cross-country ride earlier this month.
However, the size of her waistline was of some concern and Vauxhall City Farm’s veterinarian prescribed a low-calorie diet. When this failed, suspicions were raised and it’s been confirmed that she is due to foal in the next four to six weeks.
Director of the riding school, Linda Hinds, says, “It’s unlikely the previous owners were aware of her condition either as she’d have fallen pregnant last summer but it is no wonder she’s been so quiet!”
However the city farm is now faced with sending Pimms away to specialist care to have her foal and to rear it in appropriate surroundings.
Linda explains, “We don’t have any grazing, her stable would be too small for her to foal safely and there would be little peace and quiet. It feels like she is an Irish girl being sent away to the country to a home for unmarried mums!”
David Gadsby, London representative of the British Equestrian Federation notes, “The HOOF Olympic Legacy project of the BEF is supporting London’s riding schools to improve participation but this wasn’t the kind of legacy we had considered.”
More seriously, the care for Pimms and her offspring comes at an unexpected cost with Linda saying, “As a city farm we provide a large number of subsidized lessons and rely on donations and paying for veterinary care and costs for a mare and foal on confinement until Christmas plus paying for a replacement pony was not in this budget so we’re hoping people will help.”
To donate to Pimms please visit Vauxhall City farm’s website, http://www.vauxhallcityfarm.org/ and click on ‘Support the Farm’ and then, ‘Donations’.
Or to find out more about horse riding in London, visit http://www.hoof-in-town.com/
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