Animal charities, including The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, RSPCA, and Horse World Welfare, conducted a 15-month welfare operation to rescue 70 rare-breed Icelandic horses and foals from several sites in Devon. The rescue was prompted by public concerns about unmanaged breeding and dangerous living conditions, where mares in foal lived alongside fighting colts and stallions, some with life-threatening injuries. The horses’ owner cooperated fully, and the rescue was vet-led, prioritizing the removal of injured and at-risk animals first, with healthy mares and foals taken last.

Among the rescued animals is a striking four-year-old colt with bright blue eyes, who has since become relaxed and affectionate under the sanctuary’s care. The sanctuary, which currently cares for 13 of the horses, has invited supporters to help name this colt, with the chosen name to be announced on October 30. The Mare and Foal Sanctuary highlighted the rarity of Icelandic horses in the UK, with only about 1,000 registered nationwide.