10/01/2026
So today I took my second tumble of the week and found myself falling on my hip and bad right arm on our drive whilst leading an elderly pony to put her back in the field after stabling her for the worst of the snow.
The right arm, which I also landed on last time when I fell in the field ( ground wasn't as frozen as thought) is being treated anyway for frozen shoulder - and I don't have full use of it anyway - so it makes things tricky as it is not at full strength.
I am very lucky, as I didn't hit my head and managed to hang onto Cassie, who was spooked but fine but it did make me feel really vulnerable as Rob and Samuel were out and there is no one else liing up here at the moment. We tried to buy salt and grit before the bad weather and since but have found everywhere sold out and to be honest it is a very long drive so I am not sure we could have covered it all anyway without a grit lorry. I am ok so no need to worry about me - fell, had a good cry and now I am just bruised and stiff but all good.
This weather is difficult for all horse owners but it is harder with every extra animal you have to check twice daily or feed or rug swap or whatever that is .... and in saying that I am aware this is a big ask.
I NEED homes for ponies, either foster or permanant.
I have been having physio on my shoulder on and off for the last year to try and avoid surgery but I suspect now it is too late for that and given it is my right arm it is not great how much pain I am in trying to get mobility from it and I just don't have full strength, it is going again.
So here is my ask .... and I am aware it is a big one. Could you offer a FOSTER home to a pony ( we cover some of the costs and it is a temporary situation we usually ask for a minimum of 6 months ). This could be a pony needing more handling, often around catching or especially work with feet ( which is going to be tricky for me) or a pony getting ready to be brought back into work or a youngster.
OR could you offer a permanant home to a pony ( if they are older or need meds we might still be able to help with some costs if that is a deal breaker. We even have nice ridden ponies like Sassy and Besssie and a future ridden prospect like Autumn who is a registered fell. I get so many enquiries when I post about a pony but it is fair to say that 9 out of 10 of them come to nothing and even people who seem really genuine them change their minds because .... 1) It is the wrong time of year 2) Their husband has said no 3) They have decided they want something younger as they will be sad when said pony dies, even though they knew the age of the pony when they enquired.
I totally understand that life can be hard and unpredictable and it is much better people are honest and don't take on a pony than take it on and lose interest and send it back but I am sharing this to information so people can please consider it before they message. If you have a partner and need his/her/their approval or support etc please check with them first and have a proper conversation before you message me.
Make sure you have enough land we generally expect 1.5 acres per pony as a minimum so consider when animals you have already please but remember that there may be some ponies who need their weight restricted etc so it isn't always a deal breaker.
In most cases a pony will come with a full wardrobe of rugs etc so you won't need to worry about that.
I currently have ponies whose passports I am chasing from the family of previous owner so this is not a total list but I am currently looking for homes for
1) Sassy, ridden looking for a perm home ( please look back at posts on her. She needs weight monitored.
2) Bessie she is ridden but stiff in hind legs. Vet says exercise will help but she will only want to be in light work so not suited to jumping or games etc and she is either a lead rein or for a small adult/small teen etc. She is only 12.3hh.
3) Gary ( passport pending) but he is an OAP wonly donkey who just wants some love and more work on being caught. Please look back on his posts. Given his age he need a perm home but we might be able to fundraise to help with some costs.
4) Ebony ( passport pending) but she is 22 and needs more work picking up her feet and is looking for a companion homes. She was probably driven in the past but we aren't really set up for testing than, although no health reasons for her to only be a companion. It is unlikely she was ever ridden.
5) Autumn, young registered fell looking for a very experienced home for life. She will be 5 in September and can be started then but not before.
6) Cleo is 14.1hh and has been ridden in the past but it is fair to say she is complicated under saddle so looking for either a companion home or someone with very very specific experience which I can discuss. Not suitable for someone wanting to keep her on a livery yard and she can be great with her feet and then terrible so you have to be able to cope with both. She was ridden bitless and treeless so would only consider a home with that type or experience.
Thanks for listening :)
I will post another batch tomorrow but these are the priorities for now. Please stay safe in this weather and if anyone is looking for rugs that are 6.6ft and over we have some nice donated ones to sell as they are too big for all the rescues.
In relation to all of the above including rugs please drop me a Whats app to 07899 831731. Thanks for your support as ever
