Little Nell

This stoic little 30 year old donkey mare was relinquished to us in a depressed state during August 2008, shortly after her last foal had been been sold.

She was a chronic laminitic though on arrival it was apparent that a huge swelling on her left shoulder was causing at least some of the lameness. The swelling formed a huge abcess which burst to reveal a wound the size of the palm of a hand.

Although it must have been incredibly painful, Little Nel tolerated weeks of patient cleaning and washing out of the wound and never once went to kick or bite her nurses!

It is thought she may have been attacked by a neighbour’s stallion who broke loose from his field in the owner’s absence and if so, we prayed she was not in foal again.

It's delightful to have a playful youngster about the place but were already far too many unwanted donkeys in the country, and Little Nel’s 30 years were possibly against her carrying another foal with ease.

Luke

Born October 1991. Lady's jack foal and identical in colouring to Lady. Luke was gelded the following May. He grew into a very strong, handsome, donkey who bonded with Morestina when Lady died and they remained inseparable. He was strong with well shaped hooves that had a tendency to twist like Lady's so regular farrier attention was absolutely essential. He had striped markings on his legs.

Lyric

Lyric is Cherokee's foal from 2011. Cherokee came in in winter 2009 but as she was then heavily pregnant with Lyric she travelled straight to the ISPCA at Derryclogher for foaling down.

Later, in 2011, Lyric, Cherokee, and Lyric’s friend Legend, came to stay to free up valuable space at the ISPCA in order that more immediately rehomable ponies could be handled and fostered out.

Lyric grew into a delightful and very pretty filly with a soft and friendly nature.

Malibu

Malibu was a seriously overweight silver and white miniature pony mare. On arrival it was noted that she “looked like she had swallowed another pony” - a perfect but unhappy description of a potentially fatal condition. who was placed, along with Whiskey, in a lovely home on the West coast just north of Sligo. The family understood that overfeeding is as dangerous and as unkind as underfeeding, so Malibu is on a strict diet until she is a more acceptable size. She is a dear little thing with a very gentle nature, a perfect foil for Whiskey’s ‘little man’s’ complex!

Meredith

Meredith was part of a potentially sad case of neglect that was ‘nipped in the bud’ thanks to the prompt action of local Gardai who supported the confiscation of two pony fillies and a mare and stallion donkey, Meredith and Morgan, from a half acre of very poor quality field, where they had been kept together for over 3 months.

Local neighbours had been giving them fresh water, along with ourselves, and as we watched the weight slip from their bones we had also started feeding them.

Their owner was unable to look after animals due to learning difficulties, but unfortunately there is no law to prevent him from obtaining more, so in all probability these four were merely added to an ever growing list of animals that had to be removed from his care over a period of many years.

The two donkeys came to the Sanctuary and we were extremely grateful to Hungry Horse Outside of Co. Longford, for taking the two ponies, a yearling and a three year old, both unhandled and very timid. All the animals were undernourished and needed their hooves trimming.

Misty

Misty arrived in September 1992. She was a grey mare, aged around 10 years, very thin and living on very poor grazing. She was bought for £20 delivered, from near Riverstown, Co. Sligo. Misty was shy, sweet, introverted, and very pretty.

She put on weight rapidly all through the winter until we were convinced she was in foal. Our Vet, Sabine Conboy, checked her and there was no foal. She never lost any weight but didn't get bigger either. She was difficult to handle, hated being groomed and was fearful of men.

She was fostered on 2nd September 1998 and was very happy with two other donkey mares, Sally and Peggy.

Morestina

Morestina arrived in November 1992. She was a grey/fawn small mare rescued by a family at Dromore West and kept by them for the first summer they were here. Isaac fell in love with her when she was in season and escaped onto a neighbour’s land, spending the night by the cattle grid mooning over her. The family were subsequently asked if she could join the others and when Lady died she and Luke bonded.

Morgan

Morgan was rescued by local Gardai who supported the confiscation of two pony fillies and a mare and stallion donkey, Meredith and Morgan, from a half acre of very poor quality field, where they had been kept together for over 3 months.

Local neighbours had been giving them fresh water, along with ourselves, and as we watched the weight slip from their bones we had also started feeding them.

Their owner was unable to look after animals due to learning difficulties, but unfortunately there is no law to prevent him from obtaining more, so in all probability these four were merely added to an ever growing list of animals removed from his care over a period of many years.

Morgan and Meredith came to the Sanctuary and we are extremely grateful to Hungry Horse Outside of Co. Longford, for taking the two ponies. All the animals were undernourished and needed their hooves trimming.

Mowgli

On 3rd March 2011, we were delighted to meet Mowgli when he was delivered to us from Kells, in Co. Meath. He is a 12.2hh, 22 year old grey gelding pony who was homed into a riding school when his little six year old ower/rider died tragically of cancer.

Shortly afterwards, Mowgli started to go lame on one shoulder with suspected arthritis, which of course, rendered him useless for the work of the riding school. The next family visit to check on his well being found him alone, tied up in a dark barn and looking very sad, not at all the happy picture the family wished to remember of their beloved pony.

After a distraught and very poignant email to us, arrangements were soon in place to retire him here. He arrived on a stunningly beautiful day with brilliant sunshine, blue skies and almost no wind - and went in search of the muddiest patch he could find in the field where he rolled and rolled and rolled! Having rearranged his colour scheme to his satisfaction he settled down to eat as if he’d lived here all his life. He was a delightful pony with a lovely temperament who was sure to woo many a young visitor into parting with love and cuddles.

Although on the thin side on arrival he improved greatly with a bit of careful extra feeding. He also had his hooves trimmed and a visit from the dentist!

Nadia

Nadia was relinquished in 2011 from a good home that was just overloaded and had inadequate facilities to look after an active Welsh/Arab two year old filly. Fortunately for her, her owner had the generosity to give her up for her own future.

It must have been a difficult choice as Nadia was not only physically stunning but enjoyed a kind and cheerful temperament: she had been well handled so was not as giddy as one might expect from her breeding and would make a beautiful pony of possible show quality with an experienced handler.

Nancy

Nancy was a magnificent dark bay TB cross mare of around 20 years old. She had birthed twin colt foals many years ago, both of whom survived and still belonged to Nancy’s owners, the Henry family of Templevanny and Skreen.

Although Nancy could not breed again afterwards the Henry family did not want to sell her and she lived out near the Sanctuary. When Taus arrived, they agreed for the two mares to be kept together and the Sanctuary then looked after Nancy in return for the grazing of Taus.

In January 2008, Nancy was found badly hurt and, due to the nature of her injuries, had to be euthanased. We will never know what happened and the difficult decision had to be made under very trying circumstances. She was much loved and is greatly missed.

Oison

OISIN, a miniature gelding, arrived in Spring/Summer 2011 with Wispa. They were relinquished as the elderly lady who was looking after them was finding the going just too tough, especially after the last winter. Wispa was on foster loan from the ISPCA to keep Oisin company and the two were great friends to each other throughout the really bad weather.

Once given the option to choose differently, Wispa graduated to the larger ponies and Oisin took charge of AYWA and ARIA, two miniature Shetland mares, herding them around in a tight-knit little group under the unmistakable label of “My Girls” so it made sense when the opportunity arose, to foster the three of them together to a lovely home locally where they have settled in brilliantly and are much loved. Wispa also found an outstanding home in North Donegal.

Pandora

September 2002. Pandora was relinquished to the Sligo SPCA by the Gardai after she was left unattended following her owner's death. An elderly fawn coloured mare who had been a working donkey. She had bad feet but good body condition. Very timid and weepy eyes.

She settled in with the ‘golden oldies’ but remained timid so it was decided that she would benefit from a more one-to-one relationship. She was fostered with Bonnie and Tessa, with whom she spent most of her time, to a family in Glencar, Co. Sligo in June 2005. She has since grown enormously in confidence.

Peader

Peader and Lisa both belonged to a loving owner but were relinquished for a short/long term period in February 2001 as she had to return to the UK to look after her elderly mother.

Both donkeys were later returned to their owner in Autumn 2002 when she came back to Ireland but were relinquished permanently to the Sanctuary on 16th October 2005. The lady’s circumstances had changed yet again and she found herself unable to give them the care they needed and she wanted to provide.

Peader was a strong, dark brown, gelding and had come to his previous owner in poor condition; with seriously overgrown hooves and extremely shy of people in general. He was initially bossy with the other donkeys but he soon found out that he could not always have his own way.

With people, he would hang back behind the rest of the 'gang' if treats like carrots or ginger biscuits were being offered. But, eventually, he would approach you from behind and quietly nudge your hand, or pocket, for his share; which had to be held out to him behind you, without making eye contact, or he'd move away.