Devon equine charity captures birth of foal on camera

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Newton Abbot, Devon, announced earlier this year that a mare they had rescued was pregnant. Nia, the rescued animal, gave birth to a boy at the sanctuary on August 29, without the need for human intervention. 

The moment was captured in webcam, and the film shows Nia walking to the centre of the field on a sunny evening, lying down and giving birth minutes after. Nia’s field companion, grey Dartmoor mare Chandrani is seen watching from a distance before trotting over to the new foal and appearing to nuzzle him.

The equine charity explained that they usually put expert staff on 'foal watch' when a mare is due to give birth, but Nia foaled sooner than expected. But the team was still able to capture the birth thanks to their webcam. 

The new foal exploring. (Image: Fiona Crawford/The Mare and Foal Sanctuary)

The foal was born just before 9pm on Thursday, August 29, and the vets at the sanctuary are regularly checking the foal to make sure it is developing normally as tere were a few issues with suckling when it was born. 

Kayleigh Bull, Nia's handler, said: "Nia just didn’t show the usual signs we would expect before foaling so none of us thought it would happen as quickly. We always believed it was going to be a September birth. I found out the news when the night team arrived, and they popped a little picture in our communication group.

"It is very exciting, but anyone who works with newborn foals will always be concerned they’re latching well and are as healthy as can be. Nia seems to be doing well and I hope the little foal will become strong and healthy. It’s definitely a real team effort, and we couldn’t wait to share the news and pictures with our supporters."

Nia and her filly foal Netty were part of a herd of 69 semi-feral Welsh Moorlands taken from Merthyr Common in a joint operation involving several animal welfare organisations late last year.

Director of fundraising and communications Dawn Vincent added: "We wouldn’t be able to rescue ponies like Nia and care for her beautiful new foal if we didn’t have such fantastic supporters who so kindly donate whatever they can afford. The cost of caring for horses and ponies has spiralled in recent years and we appreciate every penny pledged to us.

"The little foal is chestnut with a white flash down his face, just like his older sister Netty who our supporters helped us to name just before Christmas. We’ve all fallen in love with him already. He, his sister Netty and their dam Nia have sanctuary for life with us and in coming years we will carefully assess their needs to see where they might live a happy and fulfilled life. That could be within our Equine Assisted Services team helping people who come to connect with our rescued horses and ponies. They might stay at one of our four sanctuary sites in a herd with more moorland ponies just like them, or they may go to live with one of our amazing Sanctuary at Home carers.

"For now, in coming months, the foal will continue to explore his new environment. He’ll have gentle, regular handling from staff at the sanctuary, who will allow him to live as naturally as possible with mum Nia during the early stage of his life. If all goes well in coming days, we will be hoping for help from the public to name him, so please keep watching our social media platforms and website for updates."