New Forest foal Blackwell Night Night ‘could have died’ after getting hoof stuck in metal cup

A NEW Forest foal “could have died” after she trod on a metal cup which became stuck on her hoof.

The limping animal was spotted by a member of the public who reported it to the verderers.

Agister Michael Maton spent his day off looking for the foal, called Blackwell Night Night, helped by commoners Danny and Roley Bessant from Hockey’s Farm shop in Fordingbridge.

Sue Westwood secretary to the verderers said: “This could have been very serious for the foal. If the sharp edges had cut a tendon, it could have ended in death.

“People must take their rubbish home and not leave it where animals can find it.”

The foal’s owner Jenny Tillyer said Blackwell Night Night was “very lucky” not to have been seriously injured.

Jenny said: “They found her in Stoney Cross, I joined them there. I was quite shocked to see what had happened to her. Luckily, my ponies are halter broken which meant I could lead the mare to a pound.

“She stayed very calm so the foal just trotted behind, if the mare was unhandled, she could have taken off and the foal followed, which could have led to it really injuring itself.

“Once we got the foal in, Mike managed to get her against a railing and she automatically raised her front hoof which meant I could wriggle the cup off.

“It was lucky it was not a rusty old which could have wounded her badly. As it was, we were very lucky she was not seriously injured.”

Jenny, who lives near Fawley, said Blackwell Night Night was now “fine” and recovering back at home.

She said she hoped the incident would highlight how important it is for people to take their rubbish home with them from the Forest.

Jenny said: “It can be so dangerous for animals.”

Commoner and animal safety campaigner Gilly Jones said if it hadn’t been for the actions of the person who spotted the foal, no one would have found her: “She still had to stagger with the metal coffee cup on her foot for half a mile, until she could get to a safe place for it to be removed.

“The public need to take their rubbish home It’s too late for Night Night, she is still very sore, and might have long-term damage to her shoulder.

“To anyone with a venue in the Forest that has visitors, remind them of the PSPOs and the Countryside Code.”

After the video of the limping foal was posted on social media, several commenters criticised visitors for leaving rubbish in the Forest.

One said: “I’ve been recently staying near the New Forest Country Show, the amount of rubbish left in the fields where the cars parked for an event celebrating county and country living was disgusting.

“People never fail to make me feel sad and ashamed that I am the same species too.”