KZN artist auctions painting to save rescued foal

Local artist Eugene van Vrede auctioned his beautiful artwork and raised R2,200 to buy much-needed milk for a little foal.

The Coastal Horse Care rural outreach team came across this desperately weak little foal last week in the Emmaus area of KwaZulu-Natal near Winterton, reports Highway Mail.

Although the foal’s mother was in good condition, she had little to no milk.

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The foal was desperately trying to suck milk out of her dry udder. Due to the restrictions of the team and the compromised situation of the foal, a decision was made to bring the foal, named Mouse, to the unit based in Cato Ridge.

Mouse, who was very weak and full of ticks, responded well to the care given by the staff at the unit.

The vet who examined Mouse is optimistic that this two-month-old foal has a fighting chance, even though she has a nasty hernia which might need an operation. Feeding a foal with the correct foal milk is very costly.

This adorable little foal, named Mouse, was found in a weak condition in the Emmaus area, but thanks to The Coastal Horse Care Unit and a local artist, Eugene van Vrede, she now has a fighting chance.

Eugene, a horse owner and lover, did not hesitate to offer his beautiful artwork as a means to raise funds for Mouse’s milk.

“I am having an art exhibition in May, and funds raised are planned to be donated to the Coastal Horse Care Unit, so we brought the fundraising earlier.

The highest bid was received from Charlene Hartnady, for R2 200. I am delighted to send this to buy milk for the little fighter, Mouse,” said Eugene.

According to the Coastal Horse Care Unit, Mouse is getting stronger every day and is a delight to handle.

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