At a deserted construction site in East Durham, littered with trash and debris, volunteers made a grim discovery. Initially mistaking what they saw as a dead horse lying in the mud, they soon realized the horse, whom they later named Heidi, was still alive, though weak and emaciated.
Acting quickly, the rescuers—who described this as one of the most severe neglect cases they’d seen—managed to lift Heidi to her feet with the help of five people.
The site’s owner, thinking the horse was deceased, had even called to have her removed. “Whether he thought she was already dead is irrelevant—she had been subject to the most awful suffering,” explained Wendy Suddes from Here4Horses.
Heidi’s survival was uncertain due to her extreme weakness. Her blood protein levels were dangerously low, necessitating a plasma transfusion.
Her journey to recovery was long; it took over five weeks for her to stand unassisted. Healthy horses donated blood, and cushioned dressings were applied to prevent further damage to her sores.
Months passed as Heidi’s body healed from sores, worms, parasites, and infections, but her resilience and will to live carried her through. Thanks to Wendy and her team, Heidi has not only recovered but is now thriving as the beautiful, energetic pony she was meant to be. Her spirit is vibrant, her mane has grown back, and she’s “high on life”—winning awards and living her best life.
May Heidi’s story inspire us to honor the heroes who saved her and encourage accountability for those responsible for her suffering. Heidi’s body may have been broken, but her spirit remained unbreakable.