Shetland Ponies Found New Home Through The Horse Trust’s Rehoming Scheme

Staff at The Horse Trust are delighted to have found a new home for Shetland ponies Timmy and Snakey. The ponies were found a home through the Buckinghamshire charity’s rehoming scheme, which focuses on retired, unridden horses from any background.

Retired farmers Sheila Murphy and John Murphy who live in Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, decided to offer the ponies a home after a neighbour saw an appeal by The Horse Trust on the local TV news. The ponies moved to their new home on 9 February and have settled in well, according to Sheila.

“They have settled in wonderfully. We have been enjoying watching them play with each other in the paddock. They love human company and come up to the garden fence whenever we walk past,” said Sheila.

The couple, who retired from farming three years ago, have taken in the ponies as pets. As well as the two ponies, the couple has three dogs.

“They get on well with our dogs – our Labradoodle goes into the paddock with them and they seem to think he’s a horse,” said Sheila.

19-year-old Timmy, a 43-inch bay Shetland, and 11-year-old Snakey, a 41-inch black Shetland, have been living at The Horse Trust’s Home of Rest for Horses since September 2009. They had been taken in by the charity as their previous owner was struggling to look after them.

“We are delighted that we have been able to find a home for Timmy and Snakey. They are both such characters and I’m sure they will bring a lot of joy to John and Sheila,” said Liane Crowther, Welfare & Education Officer at The Horse Trust, who manages the rehoming scheme.

The Horse Trust’s rehoming scheme focuses on retired, unridden horses from any background.

Due to limited resources, the charity is primarily considering horses and homes within a 50 mile radius of the sanctuary. All horses and potential homes are visited to assess their suitability and the charity regularly visits the rehomed horse to ensure it is receiving an appropriate standard of care.

“The rehoming scheme is such a good idea. I was impressed at the thorough checks The Horse Trust carried out and it’s good to know that they’re at the end of the phone if we have any problems,” said Sheila.

The Horse Trust still urgently needs more homes for retired horses in the local area. It received a number of enquiries to its appeal for a home for Cocky, a 27-year-old 14.3h grey gelding, but unfortunately none of these has led to a new home yet.

“We still need more people to come forward to offer a home,” said The Horse Trust’s Liane Crowther. “I’m sure there are lots of people out there who would like to give a secure and happy home to a retired horse – it’s just a matter of reaching them!”

To offer a home to a retired horse, contact The Horse Trust on 01494 488464 or info@horsetrust.org.uk