Missing pony Derbyshire

Also correct me if I'm wrong (I know nothing about driving) but don't some horses get trained dragging a tyre behind them? Surely an experienced driving pony wouldn't have too much of a problem with the sleigh, probably one of those freak accidents.

I know one of my friends was going to try and get out looking if he hasn't been found. I live not so far away but am quite new to the area so don't know my way round so probably wouldn't be much use or I would be volunteering my services. I just can't imagine what they must be going through!
 
Its not about being perfect, its about putting the safety of your horse, you and the general public first. I can't believe people are defending the owners tbh.

Yes, I'm sure they are distraught, and desperately worried and I hope they find the pony soon, but that doesn't mean what they did was silly. (Judging from rumours and hearsay only - obviously I'm prepared to eat my words if I'm wrong.)

Hope the pony is returned home safely soon.
 
I'm sorry that my post appears to have offended some but I stand by what I have posted 100%.

I have never said I'm perfect but to tie a sledge onto a harness which judging from the pictures has no neck or breast collar and then take said pony on the road is unthinkable.

For the pony's sake I hope he hasn't tied himself up but I do think this was completely avoidable
 
Someone could have taken him in or god forbid he could be lying injured after being hit by a vehicle. I hope someone's got him and he's safely snuggled up in a stable unaware of the worry he's causing

Presume local equine vets have been contacted plus RSPCA and all animal charities and rescue centres.
 
I understand it may have been a silly thing to do but don't think there is any reason to beat them down about it here. I'm sure the people wouldn't have let the pony go out if they thought for one minute there could have been a risk to pony, owner or public. Horses can be unpredictable and one minute everything is fine and it can change in a split second. Horse owners take risks which is why we have horses, some could see riding a horse on the road in traffic is a risk bit I do it every weekend. No one knows the background as to why what or where. So this should be supportive not trying to make them feel worse!
 
ABC said:
Its not about being perfect, its about putting the safety of your horse, you and the general public first.
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Everytime we ride on the road, we are putting all 3 of these at risk to some extent.
Whilst I can't defend their actions (I'm not), I'm defending the fact that these people have made a MISTAKE and this is punishment enough.

Look, none of this is helping the pony.
My point is - let's not kick people when they're low.
If they were abusive to this animal, then yes, string them up. But they're not!
 
I just find it so odd no one can have seen him. Like someone else has said hopefully someone has found him and got him tucked up somewhere not realising everyone is searching for him!
 
ABC said:
Its not about being perfect, its about putting the safety of your horse, you and the general public first. I can't believe people are defending the owners tbh.

Yes, I'm sure they are distraught, and desperately worried and I hope they find the pony soon, but that doesn't mean what they did was silly. (Judging from rumours and hearsay only - obviously I'm prepared to eat my words if I'm wrong.)

Hope the pony is returned home safely soon.
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I knew what you meant ABC!

I know very little about driving but it's obvious even to me that the "harness" they used was totally inadequate & unsafe. There weren't even any shafts to control where the sled went! There are mistakes & there are mistakes, if you soaked your carpet in petrol then lit a fire in the middle of it would you claim it was an unforseen accident when your house caught fire?!

Either they are incredibly careless of their pony's & everyone else's safety or they have no common sense, either way I feel sorry for the pony & question whether he should be returned to them if he's found & I certainly won't be donating money to them.
 
I really do not feel I was kicking them when down, I stated I hope they find him and that I was too far to help them look, if I was nearer I would do so.
I do however feel the trend especially on facebook to have pictures of your horses doing various things lot's of them not safe, usually not riding is not a good thing.

I am sure they are distraught however we owe it to our animals to be sensible and think of their and others safety, I can honestly say hand on heart I hope they find the pony and he is well.
 
Yes but when we ride on the road we take precautions like having correctly fitting tack or harness when driving,hiviz etc.

When breaking a horse to harness if you choose to drag a tire you would do so in an enclosed area and with the correct equipment.
 
I've not seen any photos so not sure how old the owners are but if they are kids they probably thought it would be fun? I know when I was young, I had no sense of danger and did all sorts of stupid things (not involving animals) If they are adults then they should have anticipated the potential danger. Even a tiny pony can be very strong when spooked
 
Like I said I know nothing about driving so don't know why is or is not suitable. What I do know is that someone on here posted a picture of her horse with a tyre harnessed on (I think she was breaking to drive, but again I don't know much about this) now if this horse had set off with a tyre bouncing behind it people would be pointing the finger saying how foolish. Equally if my horse we to drop me and run off down the main road maybe people would question my horses suitability to be ridden on the main road. Horses are unpredictable animals but ill be shocked if no one else had ever led their horses in using a lead rope, or left the door open for a minute all these things could have caused a major problem and could be put down to owner error but we know our horses and how far we can push them unfortunately this time it didn't work out and must be causing terrible worry to the owners. My horse decided he didn't want to go in the field the other day so he ran off down the lane, he could have ended up on a dual carriageway, should I have lead him out in a bridle? Hindsight is a brilliant thing!

Anyway guess well have to agree to disagree, I just can't imagine how heart broken they must be!
 
Mickeymoo said:
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS. The little Mini Horse below (Star) has been missing since Wednesday. He escaped with full harness and pulling the sledged. He went missing in the Smalley area in Derby. Donations are currently being taken so that a SUBSTANTIAL REWARD can be made to anyone who has information which leads to his safe return. Considering the amount of people who have been searching for him thoughts now start to turn to the possibility someone may have found him and kept him safe, or more worryingly may have been moved to another area. Please share this amongst as many friends as you can and keep vigilant. Thank you x
Please share this and help me find my baby boy soon!
Her mobile number is 07791 667925
Or 07808170633

Michaela Marie
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Here, since I haven't fathomed out multiquote.
 
Are you all confident this is not a hoax???
It all sounds a bit odd to me.
I am amazed that earlier posters say police agreed to use the helicopter to search for a pony? Call me a cynic but I doubt they'd authorise this. Not to mention how does thermal imaging camera distinguish one small pony from every other animal in a field?!
So I checked the Derbyshire Police website for news and appeals since Wednesday. Not a mention.
And if they're asking for donations...
 
Hopefully if this unfortunate incident is true they will find the pony, I am guessing there is a big chance somebody may have kept the pony if found, and hate to say but after three days if pony is injured or very cold would a thermal imager pick up a small cold pony of this size, I guess if they can pick up children etc , I really hope so.

Hopefully tomorrow we will hear they have found him and he is home safe and well.
 
My guess the pony is lying dead somewhere. One report of it hitting a car and running away. We have found deer dead in a field half a mile from any road, with their heads stoved in or with two broken legs. We reckon that they keep running on adrenalin until they drop. If this has happened with this pony then it could be laid anywhere and not necessarily near a road.
 
EPRider said:
My guess the pony is lying dead somewhere. One report of it hitting a car and running away. We have found deer dead in a field half a mile from any road, with their heads stoved in or with two broken legs. We reckon that they keep running on adrenalin until they drop. If this has happened with this pony then it could be laid anywhere and not necessarily near a road.
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Did you really have to post this ? - and whilst i know it may be very factual - have a heart for the ponies owner -whom is obviously doing every thing in her power to try and find the poor animal.
 
My OH works in Shipley park and has been keeping an eye out for the pony on his daily run. He said there are people out in Shipley park all the time (staff, walkers, riders etc) He said if the pony had gotten into the park it is highly likely someone would have found it.

While I completely agree that the circumstances behind the pony going missing were silly, what's done is done and the nasty or inconsiderate posts are not going to help anybody.

I also agree that a clipped, potentially injured small pony in the snow that we have here doesn't stand much of a chance, but lets keep positive as the area he is missing is quite horsey so i'm sure he's tucked up in a stable safe somewhere.

Everything crossed this little pony is found soon. xx
 
Can we please keep this post as a post to help the pony and not anything else please?

It is not a hoax. The owners have made all vets, police, radio, tv etc all aware. I don't understand how this pony can just vanish into thin air, there are so many people looking all aorund the area. I hope it's a case that somebody has taken the poor little mite in and doesn't know who to contact :(
 
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