Three starved and lice-ridden ponies found standing in stables so thick with dung it caused them to bang their heads on the beams above have undergone a remarkable transformation.
 Bertie and Mollie Weir-Smith. |
The Blue Cross charity in Britain now proudly describes the trio - Bertie, Boris and Benji - as beautiful riding ponies.
The charity said the three had been pitifully neglected before being taken in by its equine centre in Rolleston 23 months ago.
All three ponies have now settled into loving homes, but were reunited once again at the centre's open day this summer.
Bertie, Boris and Benji were found in Derbyshire by the RSPCA, together with three other ponies in a terrible state of neglect.
They were suffering from severe malnutrition and were infected with lice and worms. Some had been confined to a stable with little or no bedding and stood in a thick layer of faeces so high it caused them to bang their heads on the beams.
They all had overgrown hooves and no access to adequate food or water.
One was in such a poor state that it collapsed and died shortly after being found; another had to be euthanased to prevent further suffering.
One was rehomed directly by the RSPCA and is now being ridden.
The owner was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering. She received a 12-month community order and has been disqualified from keeping large animals for life.
Becky Smith, deputy centre manager at The Blue Cross in Rolleston said: "It was hearbreaking to see the awful neglect that these ponies had suffered.
"It's hard to imagine how anyone could allow them to reach such a poor state. We are so glad to have been able to take them in and give them a second chance in life."
Bertie, Boris and Benji, who are all chestnut and look remarkably similar, were very nervous on arrival but with intensive handling, they soon gained confidence and quickly put on weight and condition.
Despite looking so alike, the ponies are all very different in character and have progressed at different rates under their individually tailored rehabilitation programmes.
Boris, aged nine, took to his training very well and was rehomed last summer as a riding pony to the Scott family in Shropshire. His 10-year-old rider, Georgina, is having a wonderful time with him. She has regular lessons to keep them both on track, has started some jumping and has even been to some shows.
Pony Club activities and hopefully some exciting polocrosse are next in the pipeline.
Bertie, aged six, was rehomed last November as a first pony for seven-year-old Mollie Weir-Smith in Warwickshire. Mollie's mother, Sarah Weir-Smith, reports: "Bertie is fantastic - his placid nature makes him an ideal first pony for Mollie.
"He has settled well, is great to handle and gets along brilliantly with Mollie. She is having regular lessons with him and doing plenty of hacking and we hope they will be able to join the Pony Club later this year."
Eight-year old Benji, who is 12.1 hands, needed a little longer with his training. He became nine-year-old Mya Hamilton Petijean's first pony in March 2010.
Mya, who lives in Staffordshire, explains: "I visited Benji every week for six weeks to make sure we were right for each other. When he finally arrived at my grandparents' farm where we keep him, it was a dream come true.
"We are progressing really well with our lessons and have even started doing some ground-pole work and small jumps. Next year I hope to enter some competitions. Giving Benji a home has made me so happy."
The Blue Cross equine centre at Rolleston holds regular open days, fun days, competitions and pony care days.
From left, Boris and Georgina Scott; Benji with Mya Hamilton-Barnett; and Bertie and Mollie Weir-Smith.
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