In the Year of the Horse, our very own ‘fire horse’ represents the strength and loyalty this Lunar New Year symbolises

As the Lunar New Year unfolds, 2026 ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse – a symbol of strength, grace, loyalty, freedom and success – a rarity that only comes round once every 60 years.

It’s a year which represents opportunities for growth, something our rehomed horses, ponies, donkeys and mules enjoy, thanks to hundreds of rehomers who offer them the space, time and freedoms they so desperately deserve.

The Year of the Fire Horse calls us to approach life with passion and courage and, in keeping with the spirit of the year, we caught up with rehomer Irene, her Irish Draught X mare, Blue Fire Lady, and her cob, Pancake. Here, we share their story.

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When Irene found herself in need of a companion pony for her Thoroughbred in 2022, she knew she wanted to give a rescue horse a home. She identified and applied for a pony through our website, but when the pair met at one of our rescue and rehoming centres, they didn’t quite click. However, after a chat with our team at Penny Farm, Irene was introduced to just the right pony for her, a little mare called Pancake!

“I’ve always had horses and had reached the stage where I didn’t want another ridden horse. I’ve got the space and time to have horses still, so I wanted to give a rescue horse a second chance,” says Irene. “I found the rehoming process really simple and the team were very helpful – and they were absolutely right about Pancake being a good fit. It was lovely to see Pancake, or Lottie as I call her, settle in with my mare Kirkby so quickly. She’s a real people person – she’ll come straight over to see what’s going on and she doesn’t want to miss out on anything!”

After more than three and a half years of friendship, sadly Kirkby had to be put to sleep late last year, leaving the little World Horse Welfare rescue mare on her own. “We were both missing Kirkby very much and I knew Lottie needed another friend quickly, so I called the farm and explained the situation. I wanted another slightly older mare, as that dynamic had worked so well with Lottie and Kirby, and the team said they thought they knew the perfect horse – a beautiful grey mare named Blue Fire Lady.”

Irene felt that Blue Fire Lady, known as Rocket to her friends, would be a good fit and so the Irish mare arrived at her new home. “She settled in really well – and it was lovely to see her bond with Lottie so quickly. Rocket’s such a kind mare – she’s lovely to have about. Their personalities work together well – Lottie is a real character with tons of energy, who loves to gallop in from the field every night, whereas Rocket is a gentle giant.

“I hope to have both of them for a long time yet, but I wouldn’t hesitate to rehome again if I did need another companion. I also have the reassurance of knowing that, if anything should happen to me, the charity will find them another lovely home. It’s been so rewarding – I’d recommend rehoming to anyone.”

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It’s thanks to our rehomers that our rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are given the loving, secure futures and opportunities for growth they so deserve.

If you’re feeling inspired to rehome after reading Blue Fire Lady’s and Pancake’s story, please visit our rehoming pages where you can see all of our horses and ponies who are ready to find a loving new home.

If you aren’t able to rehome from us, then why not do something for horses everywhere to mark the Year of the Horse by joining us as a Champion Member. By doing so, you will help give more horses like Blue Fire Lady and Pancake a life-changing, second chance.