Rescue pony Buttercup has been transformed since coming into our care emaciated and weak.
Posted on 23/01/2020
Share
Buttercup came into our care in June 2018 in a dreadful state. She was so emaciated that she was covered in sores where her protruding bones had rubbed as she lay on the ground. Incredibly, shortly after she arrived at the holding yard Buttercup gave birth to a foal, later named Frieda.
Buttercup was so weak that she couldn’t care for her foal and the decision was made to move them both to World Horse Welfare Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, so they could receive specialist round-the-clock care. Frieda was hand-reared by the dedicated Penny Farm team and thrived in their care.
Being so weak and emaciated, Buttercup had to have a very careful feeding regime to begin building up her strength. Initially she was fed four times a day, until eventually she was strong enough to go out in a paddock for a few hours at a time and then she began to gain condition slowly but surely.
“When Buttercup first arrived she stood in the stable with her head hung low, with her spine and hip bones protruding. She had sores on both sides, where she had struggled to get up. She was so weak that she didn’t take an interest in anything.
“Once she was eventually strong enough we started doing some in-hand exercise with her. We realised she might do very well at in-hand showing and she actually went to Equifest last year. They have special rescue classes, which are judged on the horse or pony’s previous history, their transformation and their performance. Buttercup was very well-behaved and she was crowned champion, so we’re very proud of her!”
Karen Wright, World Horse Welfare Penny Farm Assistant Centre Manager
Following on from her showing success at Equifest, Buttercup has been the star of many “Groom a pony” sessions at Penny Farm. She’s wonderful with children and loves being groomed and fussed over. Although she can’t be ridden, Buttercup is now ready to be rehomed as a non-ridden companion and is sure to become a much-loved family member, whoever her lucky rehomer is.
If you think Buttercup could be the perfect addition to your horsey family, why not check out our rehoming pages now?
Share
Topics
Related News
Major sighting at Loch Ness turns out to be Rehomed Horse of the Year
Once a rescue horse from a sad background, Major, the Highland Pony, now lives a life of luxury on the shores of Loch Ness, in Scotland – and occasionally he likes to walk through the Loch Ness waters.
Tiny pony Pickle was found critically ill, but now he’s winning hearts at Penny Farm
When our Field Officer Charlotte Melvin first saw Pickle, he was too weak to stand, struggling to breathe and in desperate need of help.
Recommended Blog Posts
Rescued Horse Appreciation Month: Peanut, Popcorn and Pascal
Celebrating rescued horses and the life-changing impact of rehoming.
Why do horses come into our care? Is that the only successful outcome of a case?
Chief Field Officer Claire Gordon explains how horses and ponies can come into our care for all kinds of reasons and from all kinds of situations.
The rescue of 70 unhandled Icelandic horses
We catch up with Deputy Chief Field Officer Jon, to find out why rescues like this are lifesaving.
Enjoy reading stories like this?
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Sign me up now
