Gutted: unsuccessful in adopting Amersham pony

Box_Of_Frogs

Box_Of_Frogs

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A week or so ago I applied to the RSPCA to adopt a tiny 28", 13yr old miniature shetland mare. This was their appeal for loan homes for those of the Amersham horses and ponies that were ready for re-homing. Today I had a lovely letter from them explaining that over 1,000 people had applied to adopt just 27 horses and ponies, and I was unsuccessful this time. I already have little 9hh Molly, the Christmas Day rescue pony from this Forum and I really wanted another tiny who was a genuine rescue, to be a companion for her. Molls has different needs from the other big horses at my yard and it is a real challenge to keep her body AND her mind happy. Like all Shetties, she's an incredibly good doer so is on very restricted grazing but she doesn't have a friend who can share restricted grazing with her. Me and my wonderful YO organised the S Wales contribution with Operation Esther, the Forum find-raising drive. Local people raised thousands of pounds for Operation Esther and I was so hoping - on so many levels - to bring an Amersham pony back to S Wales.

But I believe things happen for a reason so I'm hoping that out there somewhere is another tiny Shetland, preferably middle aged or veteran mare, that is a genuine rescue, in real need, dumped, sick, sad, abused, starving, anything - waiting for me to find her. Please could I ask that everyone keeps their ears to the ground and PM me if you know of a genuine rescue where time, patience, experience, kindness and deep pockets will be needed. Many thanks x
 
Sorry you didn't get chosen, but its strange as I did. Apparently Iam on the short list, I had a phone call a few days ago, I didn't think I'd stand a chance as I knew it would be a popular thing for people to do.
Will see what the future holds.
Good luck for your next new family member.
 
Does it have to be a shetland?

There are a ridicoulous amount of little welsh A's in desperate need of a good home, they go for a pittance at sales straight onto meat waggons.
May not be beaten or starved, but are destined for slaughter - why not save a life? x
 
There are always plenty of Shetlands going very cheap (so pretty obvious where they will end up) at Holmfirth market, which I know is a long way from you but I bet it's the same at all low-end markets. I'd think it would be worth a trip to one of them, or many rescue centres also have them. What about EMW?
 
Don't be disheartened. There will be a very good reason you weren't chosen this time and it's nothing to do with 'luck of the draw' or a personal influence. You need to keep the space open for the pony destined to fill it, and this is why you haven't been picked.

I don't believe in lots of stuff but fate is a real and huge power over my life. I have long since stopped trying to circumvent it!
 
The RSPCA were not the only organisation to take Spindles Farm horses. There are many with WHW and Redwings as well - also available for re-homing.

Try contacting other equine rescue associations. I don't know where you live but there are quite a few from the large to the smaller.

WHW and Redwings are pretty big. So are Ada Cole in Essex. Blue Cross also take in rescue horses.

I only know the smaller ones near us which would be ones like Brownbread Horse Rescue and Foal Farm (Surrey - both) Or there is Horseland in Bristol. But if you put horse rescue and your county into google you might get somewhere. You could also try your local WHW officer. I know ours (Ted Barnes) has a fair mental map of local horses in need which have not yet passed into the hands of a charity but are none the less is dire need.

Buying broken down horses from market to prevent them being sent for meat - although entirely understandable - sadly only fuels the trade in unsuitable animals. I know it is really really sad and I can't gaurentee that I wouldn't do the same if I saw one. But unfortunately there are those - like the Grays - who make money on the back of our compassion. Whilst we fuel that market it will continue to thrive.
 
Sorry you didn't get the pony, however I'm slightly confused why you'd wait for another 'genuine rescue' as you describe..?

Most of the Amersham horses are being cared for and there's a high demand for them because of all the publicity (as you've discovered), go at any sales and you'll see 'genuine' ponies in need of rescue, RSPCA I believe ask for a generous donation, why not buy a horse from the sales and donate to the RSPCA the money you'd of saved on a re-homing fee...
 
Thanks guys. Astonishingly, the local rescue centres I've tried have a WAITING LIST to adopt tinies!!!! Redwings tell me they only loan to neighbouring counties. Horse Trust doesn't have any shetlands or tinies. Molly is indeed rescued from slaughter as being "surplus to requirements". I know all about the issues around rescuing from meat markets but poor Molls had already been "rescued" once, but the "rescuer" couldn't sell her as she had hoped so was going to take her BACK to slaughter. I mean, for god's sake! I am looking for a shettie or miniature shettie as a companion for Mollie - people need to be realistic when taking on a horse or pony (or any animal) for life, not just idealistic. A 2nd rescue will of course have its own needs and perhaps issues and would be managed accordingly but it would also share a stable, lifestyle and poor grazing with Molls so needs to be about her size. Why a rescue? Because I want to give something back. Owners selling or re-homing their horses may take ages to find the right home but they don't need me. It's the ones like Joanne's Little Stig, Angel (the rescued gipsy cob I had before Molly - her story would break the hardest heart) and Molly that need help and compassion.

Ruthnmeg, I'm so pleased you will be adopting an Amersham ned. Good on you! Kerilli - forgot about SWHP! Thanks for the idea - will contact Monday. I'm also trying Lluest horse and pony sanctuary. I'm steeling myself to go to next month's Llanybydder market. Never been and never want to. It's the local meat market and apparently one of the sorriest, saddest, most upsetting experiences anyone with a heart could attend. My YO would come with me and the search would be on for "the one". Not sure yet. Have to see how Molls copes with being stabled 21 hours a day until the end of October. It's easy to keep her body happy but much harder to keep her mind happy. Thanks again all x
 
Box_Of_Frogs said:
Thanks guys. Astonishingly, the local rescue centres I've tried have a WAITING LIST to adopt tinies!!!! Redwings tell me they only loan to neighbouring counties. Horse Trust doesn't have any shetlands or tinies. Molly is indeed rescued from slaughter as being "surplus to requirements". I know all about the issues around rescuing from meat markets but poor Molls had already been "rescued" once, but the "rescuer" couldn't sell her as she had hoped so was going to take her BACK to slaughter. I mean, for god's sake! I am looking for a shettie or miniature shettie as a companion for Mollie - people need to be realistic when taking on a horse or pony (or any animal) for life, not just idealistic. A 2nd rescue will of course have its own needs and perhaps issues and would be managed accordingly but it would also share a stable, lifestyle and poor grazing with Molls so needs to be about her size. Why a rescue? Because I want to give something back. Owners selling or re-homing their horses may take ages to find the right home but they don't need me. It's the ones like Joanne's Little Stig, Angel (the rescued gipsy cob I had before Molly - her story would break the hardest heart) and Molly that need help and compassion.

Ruthnmeg, I'm so pleased you will be adopting an Amersham ned. Good on you! Kerilli - forgot about SWHP! Thanks for the idea - will contact Monday. I'm also trying Lluest horse and pony sanctuary. I'm steeling myself to go to next month's Llanybydder market. Never been and never want to. It's the local meat market and apparently one of the sorriest, saddest, most upsetting experiences anyone with a heart could attend. My YO would come with me and the search would be on for "the one". Not sure yet. Have to see how Molls copes with being stabled 21 hours a day until the end of October. It's easy to keep her body happy but much harder to keep her mind happy. Thanks again all x
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Llanybydder is a horrendous place for the littlies, i will never go but know plenty that do,cruelty is the name of the game there, wild ponies beaten and dragged y their tails into the ring- i could never witness that, so good luck if you go, and brace yourself----
 
There are some very sad sights at sales like Llanybydder, particularly with the unhandled youngsters - TBH I really feel there more deserving than lots of rescue cases up for re-homing in charities, the rescue horses have already been rescued and doing well, the ones going through sales aren't usually so lucky..
 
Box_of_Frogs
Why not arrange to meet up with representatives of Equine Market Watch at Llanbydder?
More pairs of eyes' ''watching'' the better and sure they will help you choose a needy pony.
 
I applied for the same one as you, and the other shetland. I got an email saying I was on the shortlist, then 2 days after, i too got the same rejection as you did. Why not try other places such as WHW etc, i know they have a lot on there atm :) Good luck in finding a rescue shettie :)
 
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