The Mare and Foal Sanctuary will be welcoming a bundle of joy in September after discovering that a Welsh Moorland pony it rescued before Christmas is pregnant.

Nia was rescued with her filly foal Netty from Merthyr Common in Wales last December. They were part of a herd of 69 semi-feral Welsh Moorlands who were taken in a joint operation involving several animal welfare organisations after concerns were raised over resources, fighting and unmonitored breeding among the ponies.

Staff estimate that Nia is likely to give birth in late summer of early autumn. ‘Equines are pregnant for 11 around 11 months, so we think Nia gave birth to Netty and was covered very soon after,’ says horse care team member Kayleigh Bull.

It is very unusual for births to take place at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary. ‘You might think a charity called ‘The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’ would be the place to find lots of foals, but the birth of one here is a big deal for us,’ said head of sanctuary care Sally Burton. ‘We have a strict non-breeding policy to reduce the number of unwanted horses,’ she added.

‘Rescued foals sometimes come in needing our specialist care. But only if a mare is in foal before being brought here births will happen at the Sanctuary and that is what has happened in this case,’ explained Sally.

Since arriving at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary Nia and Netty have settled in well. They share a field with Dartmoor ponies Chandrani and Chandler who were rescued at around the same time.

Nia is being regularly checked by the vet at the Sanctuary’s Beech Trees Veterinary and Welfare Assessment Centre in Newton Abbot as her pregnancy progresses. She will be monitored around the clock as her due date gets closer.

The Sanctuary hopes the birth will be caught live on its webcam so supporters can see the event as it happens. ‘We want everyone to feel part of this special journey for Nia and understand a little more about equine care,’ enthused Kayleigh.