Joy from suffering: ‘miracle’ foal born to mare likely saved from export to Europe for slaughter

A pregnant mare who was one of a lorryload intercepted en route to Europe – probably for slaughter – has defied the odds to give birth to a healthy “miracle” foal.

Amy was one of the “trafficked 20”, a group of horses crammed into an unsuitable lorry and intercepted in Dover at the end of last year. Many of the horses were too sick to travel, and five had to be put down.

But Amy has given birth to a filly, who has been named Joy and has been taken her first steps at World Horse Welfare’s Norfolk rescue and rehoming centre.