Old thin pony - a happy ending and thank you from me to you!

DuckToller

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For everyone who has offered help, advice, and who have followed my posts, here is the happy ending.

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Biggest thanks of all to Sue at Remus Horse Sanctuary, who said straight away that she would take him in if I could get him there. They already have 60 horses, but she didn't hesitate.

If anyone wants to read about Remus, I am not sure how to do a link but if you google Remus Horse Sanctuary in Ingatestone, you will see all about them. And yes, this is a shameless plug and anyone who wants to show their appreciation can click on their Paypal donation link (might have managed below, not sure!).

I need to point out that several people have tried to help the pony over the years, I just happened along at a time when the pony was at a particularly low point, and probably so was the old guy. Other people have done their bit, so I don't deserve all the credit.

The owner was persuaded to let him go to the sanctuary at 11.30am by a lovely lady who knew the problem, and I arranged to meet him there at 1pm., I rang a friend who dropped everything to come to mine straight away, and we got to the field at 12.40, as I wanted to get there before the owner.

However he arrived soon after and it all got a bit muddled, I wanted to sedate pony (on vet's advice!) with two acp but instead I had to grab him before the owner gave him a last feed - I needed the feed as a bribe to load!

Only took a few minutes to persuade pony to load. The owner wasn't happy to part with him, but I think realised that he just couldn't carry on.

Journey took just over an hour, didn't hear a peep (stopped once to check). Unloaded carefully, and led him into lovely warm stable with deep straw bed, which he promptly attacked with gusto! Also tucked into haylage. Kind Remus people gave us a cup of tea and a quick tour - an amazing place, so well run and clean, but low on funds as they are bearing the brunt of the recession of course (that's a hint, guys!).

Anyway, left at 3.30 and got home to finish my horses off, make OH tea and then rang owners. Turns out he is 80 and I felt so sad for him, he was near to tears, spoke to the wife who was also tearful, and I promised him I would drive them both up to see their old pony in a few weeks. I intend to, but not sure the wife is well enough so we will see.

Here is a shot of pony in the field a few days ago - he doesn't look as thin as he is in this shot, because of his thick matted hair.

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Remus Sanctuary

And if this has moved you to shed a tear or two, just click on the link and help if you can afford to. I will be sending some money, because it's what I would have spent on feeding him anyway. Just so pleased he is not stood alone and cold and soaked to the skin in a muddy field, waiting and waiting for someone to come.
 
aww lovely ending, i don't have a job so i will donate some of my christmas money once the cheques have cleared in the bank. i am so please the couple agreed they couldn't cope anymore, very brave of them. and everyone who helped the pony have done fantastic job so well done to all of you
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Thanks GwenLP - I am only asking anyone who so kindly offered to help me help him, if they would instead donate a small something. I don't think the old guy would have signed him over if I hadn't had the sanctuary to take him too.
 
Well done you, you should feel chuffed with yourself for sorting him out.

I do feel for the owners, it's not as if they have deliberately neglected his needs.

I hope he is happy in his new home.
 
Thats lovely, and so good of you to get involved, feel sorry for the old couple, but I am sure they know they have done the right thing for the pony, he looks very happy in his new stable.
Will donate what I can
 
Well done you!!!! You've done a wonderful job not just for the pony but for the owners too. I'm sure in their hearts they know it couldn't go on like it was and they have now, due to your hard efforts, done the right thing.

Well done and may you be blessed well in 2010 x
 
Well done. I'm glad for the pony and his welfare.

Do you know why the old couple had the pony in the first place? Had he belonged to their offspring or something?
 
Well done to everybody who helped this old lad, also thinking of his owner and her husband, so glad they made the right decision and really hoping they are able to keep in contact with him x
 
You've done the best for him and the owners as they were struggling on as best they could for the pony but sounds like it would just have got harder and harder for them. I expect he was and still is a well loved pony, (he looks like a lovely looking horse still aside from his current condition) but life gets hard for all when you get older and less mobile. Hopefully it will give the owners some comfort that he will be tended to now and have all his needs met. And it will do them a boost to see him in his new home. And thank God for places like Remus Horse Sanctuary.
 
That will have us all blubbering johnrobert, but will try to oblige! They have owned him for 28 years and the old guy said rather sadly 'I will miss him, he was my pal'.

That made me feel awful, but I am sure he will not miss going up in the mud and cold and snow. And I will be able to sleep tonight, without waking up several times worrying about the poor pony. I even went up at 2am on NYE (was passing fairly close by) and went and gave him a bucket of happy hooves which I had in the car. Had to bin shoes after (don't like heels anyway).

Didn't have a chance to take the rug off today, and he was still wet in places, despite my best efforts to dry him via rug changes twice a day.

STOP PRESS: JUST HAD TEXT FROM REMUS SANCTUARY: He is very settled in his stable. Amazing - he has lived alone in a field for anything between ten and twenty years, and he just walks into a strange stable and settles down. Horses never fail to amaze us.
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Oh dear, I am joining the bunny huggers now
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i've just had a good look at the Remus Horse Sanctuary site, WOW, what an amazing place, it sounds like an absolutely wonderful 'hospice' for horses, and as if it does a LOT of good in the community. 10/10 to them, they'll be getting my charity donations in future. so glad to hear he's gone to such a wonderful place.
 
Well done Llewellyn and evryone else involved. Sad for the old couple but at least they realised in the end they couldn't cope. A lovely thought to offer to take them over to see him, I hope they are both well enough to make the journey.
 
Simply wonderful that people like you don't walk by and say 'non of my business' Congratulations and hugs to all concerned.

Poor old chap though he must have loved the pony and it is hard for young and fit people to look after their horses and ponies in this weather.
Do please take him to visit and if possible let him have photos in the interim.

What a wonderful sanctuary too.
 
What a lovely ending, very good for you for seeing this through
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I will donate when I am in the office on Monday, so I can print off the Gift Aid form - I'd encourage everyone to do this as it gives more money to the charity at the same cost to you.
 
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