COROLLA, N.C. (WAVY) – The Corolla Wild Horse Fund announced on Tuesday the herd’s newest foal, a filly named Elsa, had to be humanely euthanized.
According to a Facebook post from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, on Sunday, Elsa appeared to be in decent health and was seen nursing. By Tuesday, staff observed that Elsa was no longer near her mother or two-year-old sister.
Staff conducted a search for Elsa, who was seen about a half mile away on the beach alongside a mare.
Once staff was able to catch Elsa in the hopes of reuniting her with her mom, they noticed Elsa’s health had deteriorated. After a discussion with the fund’s vet and learning that Elsa’s mother was seen kicking her on Sunday, Elsa was brought directly to the vet.
Blood tests determined Elsa was not receiving any colostrum, meaning she either was not nursing properly, or that her mother was not producing any. Tess also found Elsa had pneumonia and was severely dehydrated.
Staff then made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Elsa.
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund released a statement, which, in part reads:
We’d like to thank our staff and volunteers who helped get Elsa to safety today. It’s difficult any time there’s a medical emergency with one of the horses, but going trough this kind of thing with a foal is exceedingly hard. Our staff and volunteers always rise to the occasion and always put the horse’s needs above their own emotions, and that is not something we take for granted. We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund
Elsa is currently buried at the farm beside the other foals that have passed throughout the years.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.