Thistle and Declan find a new home

When Donkey Welfare Adviser Charly Wain received a call of concern from a member of the public, she travelled to the site in Bishop Auckland to assess their welfare.

Thistle, 16, and foal Declan had broken out of their field and found themselves on land belonging to someone else. 

When Charly saw Thistle's skinny frame and her overgrown, twisted hooves, she became concerned for the pair's welfare. 
 
Thistle's hip bones and spine were poking out through her coat, and with no shelter in the field, neither she nor Declan had any protection against the treacherous November weather. 
 
Despite her ailments, Thistle was very comfortable with Charly, allowing her to pick up her feet and fit her with a head collar. 
 
Charly says: "When I saw Thistle, I was very concerned about her. I could see her bones very visible even through her thick coat. Her hip bones were particularly prominent. 
 
"When Thistle came over to me, I saw what a gentle and kind donkey she was – she really enjoyed me giving her withers a scratch. 
 
"However, her body condition was very worrying, especially as she was exposed to the elements in such a harsh environment. 
 
"As I looked her over, I noticed her hooves were overgrown and twisted, and I knew I had to help her and Declan." 
 
Declan was not as confident as Thistle and did not want to be handled as he was uncomfortable with Charly's presence.

Throughout her visit, Charly noted that he was trying to latch onto Thistle to feed but could not as the mare was not producing any milk. 
 
Charly adds: "I initially assumed Declan was Thistle's foal as he was trying to feed from her, but I would later find out this wasn't the case. 
 
"Thistle was brought in as a companion for Declan. This only endeared Thistle to me more as she was so tolerant of a baby who wasn't hers." 
 
After checking for a microchip – a unique identifier and legal requirement that allows animals and their owners to be reconnected quickly – Charly called a vet to attend the site and carry out an examination on the pair. 
 
The vet assessed the donkeys' condition and living environment and recommended that they be moved to somewhere more suitable for further treatment as soon as practical. 
 
The following morning, Charly, with the assistance of Donkey Welfare Adviser Sally Bamforth, arrived back on-site to further assess Thistle and Declan. 
 
During their visit, Thistle and Declan's owner came forward and explained they couldn't financially afford to look after the donkeys. 
 
They agreed the best thing for Thistle and Declan would be for them to be relinquished into our care.  
 
Both donkeys were then loaded into one of our donkey transporters and taken to a local holding base to begin their recovery.

Since their arrival, tests have confirmed that Thistle is pregnant and is expected to foal next year. 
 
Charly says: "Once on hardstanding, the effect of Thistle's poor hoof health was apparent with an obvious lameness. On closer inspection, vets found a hoof abscess. 
 
"To treat this, she is on a course of antibiotics and she has had her hooves seen to by a farrier. 
 
"I am pleased to report that she is doing much better. She is such an affectionate donkey and very gentle. 
 
"I am hopeful that with the loving care and attention Thistle is receiving, her foal will now be born fit and healthy. 
 
"Declan is still learning to trust people but gaining confidence all the time. 
 
"In the future, I hope that Thistle, her unborn foal and Declan continue to improve and perhaps one day I'll see them in a loving Guardian home."