Peppercorn
Peppercorn and Willow in January 2009
Peppercorn's story
Peppercorn was born on Saturday the 8th November 2008. Sadly, she had a difficult start to life as her Mum, Willow, didn't seem to know what to do with her baby, and did not allow her to suckle.We rushed them both to the Werribee Equine Hospital as Peppercorn was becoming dehydrated and weak. The vets rehydrated her and tried to teach Willow how to be a mother by repeatedly putting her baby on her teats.
Willow is a first-time mother and is really only a baby herself - she is much too young to have been allowed to become pregnant.
They spent a number of weeks at the hospital before Peppercorn was strong enough to come home. Her initial difficulties have put her at risk of future health problems, and so she will remain at Donkey Shelter for the rest of her life.
There is a wonderful consequence of her unfortunate first few months though - because of all the handling and very close contact with humans, she loves to be close, she loves cuddles and will walk along with her head under your arm. She loves to play and chase. Her ears go back and you know then that she wants to play.
Back