Volunteers who feed around 130 wild ponies appeal for help

Volunteers from HungryHerds have been feeding wild and abandoned horses and ponies on Gelligaer Common since 2017.

The not for profit group feed around 130 ponies at least three times a week, and are now asking for support to buy more feed so they’re prepared for the difficult winter months.

Volunteer Shannon Livingstone said the group is funded completely by donations, with hopes they can reach their £1,200 goal.

She added: “These ponies are not managed and their environment is bleak. Some mares have two foals feeding from them. Most have worm burden and breeding is indiscriminate, causing foals to be born in December and later.

“Our aim is to make life a little easier by giving them one decent meal – this does not stop them foraging or doing what wild ponies do.

“If you would like to help, we would be so grateful. The ponies are feral and it is dangerous so we would not condone anyone taking feed up themselves to give.”

Shannon added that the group also litter picks from spring to winter to help keep the common as clean as possible.

You can donate to HungryHerds online.