Farleywater Lady Dugal

I don’t like making sad posts. However, I feel that this beautiful mare deserves a tribute. RIP dearest Farleywater Lady Dugal. On Friday evening, despite the best efforts of the excellent Western Counties Equine Hospital vet, I had to say goodbye to this precious mare, who was tragically in foal.

After leaving her fine and well early evening, I then discovered her lying in a coma on the late night check. No sweating or signs of agitation - just lying in a deep, unresponsive sleep. Eventually, the very sad decision was made, on the advice of the vet, that we could do no more for them. I am absolutely devastated to lose Dolly - and her and Yogi Bear’s foal, who was to be Herd 11’s only foal this year.

As some of you will know, Lady Dugal joined us in 2013 when we took the entire Farleywater Herd H67 foal progeny into our pony project that year - saving their lives. Their story is well documented in Wild Pony Whispering. ‘Dolly’ went to a smart new home in early 2014 and subsequently became a working hunter pony. Passing through various homes, she at some point acquired a serious suspensory ligament injury, which was discovered by her last owners, who had purchased her in good faith as a performance pony for their daughter.

To their credit, they gave Dolly all the veterinary help they could in order to see if she could fully recover, but eventually, light riding only was recommended. Dolly still moved beautifully, but was no longer up to competitive jumping. So they contacted me and I was overjoyed to offer Dolly a permanent home back here in the Exmoor Pony Project.

Shortly after my husband’s tragic death from pancreatic cancer last year, I made the decision to introduce Dolly to Yogi Bear and let her have a foal. At only ten years old, she was in her prime and a stunningly beautiful and noble mare. During the past year, they have bonded closely and had a lovely time.

Yogi was standing with Lady Dugal when I found her on Friday evening and he remained close by the entire time the vet was there. The sorrow in his eyes is heart breaking and he has been receiving essential oil therapy from my good friend Katie, along with Reiki healing from me. The vet has taken blood for testing to see if we can discover the reason this happened to her.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me these past couple of days, including the dear friends who jumped in their cars late at night and came over to help. Dolly’s last owners are also devastated.

Here are a few pictures of Lady Dugal - one of the most beautiful Exmoor mares I have ever set eyes on and I know that she and her foal are sparkling now in Divine light and energy, with their angels. Bless them 🙏❤️💚💔💖