16 February 2010
Charity seeks good homes for lead rein ponies
Six irresistibly cute lead rein-type ponies being cared for by The Blue Cross equine welfare centre at Burford in Oxfordshire are looking for new homes where they can help little children learn to ride. .
The Blue Cross takes in horses and ponies that are no longer wanted and finds them loving new homes on a monitored loan basis. Ellie, Kerry, Georgie, Freyni, Coco and Happy range in size from 10hh to 12.2hh and cover a spectrum of colours from bay to grey and skewbald. A couple even have the looks and the paces for potential in the show ring. They have all been expertly long reined and backed by Blue Cross staff, apart from Happy who arrived as a riding pony. All are well-handled, proving to be gentle and considerate with children. As with most children's ponies however, they will need to be supervised by an experienced adult who can continue with their training.
Kate Gloyn, Blue Cross deputy centre manager at the Burford equine centre, said: "Good lead rein ponies are worth their weight in gold as they give small children their all-important first experience of riding. We've had many of these adorable ponies since they were youngsters, so they've had a great start and have the potential to make wonderful lead rein ponies, both for small children learning to ride and for first ridden outings too."
Blue Cross Twyford Mallow, a pretty little Welsh Section A pony, is one of the charity's many lead rein success stories. She was rehomed two years ago to Nikki Berry from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire as a first pony for her young daughters, nine-year-old Louise and five-year-old Christina. Not only has Mallow given both girls confidence in the saddle but she has also notched up an impressive collection of wins at local and county shows in Mountain and Moorland, dressage, veteran and in-hand classes. She even competed at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last year.
"Mallow is so safe and reliable and seems to be able to turn her hoof to just about everything. The girls have learnt so much from her, we feel so privileged and lucky to have her," said Nikki.
AND MALLOW APPEARED IN ISSUE 68 OF WBN!
If you have the knowledge and the facilities to take on a pony and give it a second chance in life The Blue Cross would love to hear from you. For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/horses or phone 01993 822454.
· The Blue Cross provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. .
· The Blue Cross does not receive any government funding so it relies on fundraising and public donations to continue its vital work. For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.
