Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre

A donkey rescued from terrible conditions in Valencia last month has received surgery at the Alicante horse hospital after a veterinary inspection revealed one of his testicles had not dropped in the normal way.

The 7-year-old donkey, named Braveheart, was operated on amid concerns the testicle could turn cancerous if it remained in his abdomen.

“The operation was a complete success and Braveheart is recovering well,” rescue centre co-founder Sue Weeding said.

Braveheart was rescued on October 23 from a property at Rotglà y Corberà, 150 kilometres north of Alicante, in a joint operation between the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre and the Valencia and Guadamar branches of Spain’s animal welfare unit, Seprona.

“Braveheart was being kept in this grotty little area surrounded by chain-link fencing. He was standing on a concrete circle and couldn’t move off of it because he was surrounded by branches and metal,” Sue said.

“He’s a bit malnourished but not terribly as he had only been at that place for two weeks.”

However, a skeletal mare rescued at the same time – who was later found to be three months’ pregnant – was in much worse condition and sadly died two days after the rescue.

The rescue centre has completed a veterinary report at the request of Seprona officials, who are pushing to prosecute the Spanish owner.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre relies entirely on donations to fund its important animal welfare work, including the feeding and care of the centre’s more than 90 horses, ponies and donkeys rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Donations of cash or items for the centre’s network of eight charity shops across the Alicante province are gratefully welcomed. A pick-up service is available to collect large donated items such as furniture and each shop also offers a delivery service for large items purchased in-store.

Anyone interested in making a donation, becoming a long-term sponsor, or volunteering at the rescue centre or in the charity shops can call Sue on 652 021 980.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, located just outside Rojales at Partido Lo Garriga, 59, opens to the public on the first Sunday of every month between 1pm and 4pm. Free horse tours run throughout the afternoon and refreshments are available in the café. For more details and directions, please visit www.easyhorsecare.net.