Meet the resident Shetlands

Cleo and her friend Gussie were rescued by us when they were neglected having been outgrown by children. Gussie remains but Cleo died tragically - possibly of a worm infestation according to our vet. We worm all our animals regularly, so this condition was something which would have developed before she came to us. Gussie has always been very skittish and is very difficult to handle. If you want to get hold of her you have to launch yourself in a rugger tackle round her neck and follow that up smartly with a carrot.

Charlie is about 6 and the lunatic of the bunch. He lived in somebody’s kitchen and a tiny garden until he outgrew them and started causing havoc. It took him some time to adjust to being a pony and living with others in a stable and field. He is far too strong and boisterous to be a child's pony.He suffers continually from Sweet Itch in his mane and has to be treated daily with special creams.When he knows you he will behave but plays up badly with newcomers.

Raffles was the victim of divorce and as a home could not be found at the time we were asked to take him in.

Mickey came to us when his companion died. He was grieving and lonely and needed to be with others. He has a front cleft hoof but if the farrier cuts it properly he is able to walk and trot normally.

Mistletoe (a dappled grey) has papers that say she is a Falabella but she certainly doesn't look pure bred. She arrived with

Hogan (black) who is the brother of

Hamish (also black) These three all came together as an emergency after a fourth died in the river which ran through their field. When we rescued them they were all screaming as they were so traumatised and hungry but after worming and regular hay and pony nuts they no longer make a sound.

Rupert (bay in colour) came from the same owner as the others. We wormed him immediately he arrived and the following morning found large red bots and white tapeworms in his manure.

Eddy and Beverly arrived shortly afterwards. Eddy poor chap was entire upon arrival so had to be castrated. There are far too many unwanted mini Shetlands for us to want to add to their numbers.Beverly seemed rather fat and we were worried she might have been pregnant but after extensive worming her swollen abdomen became normal so it was a false alarm. Unfortunately Eddie had to be separated from the others for 6 weeks until he could no longer sire a foal and by that time the others would no longer accept him in their field.

Jack and Jill

We were asked to rescue Jack and Jill when their owner became very ill and had an extended stay in hospital. They are both miniscule rather fragile Shetlands and Jill would be hard to re-home because of her deformed back legs. As a result she trots in a very peculiar fashion and has been nicknamed Miss Merrylegs. Jack was so weak he went down with bronchitis and also had a bad tooth abscess. He had to have a long course of antibiotics.They also needed serious de-worming upon arrival but since then our vet has given them the all-clear and says that Jill should live a decent pain-free life in spite of her deformity. Rather inbred these mini Shetlands are not hardy unlike the stocky, strong real Shetlands. At first they were all very wary of humans as they had hardly ever been handled but are now much better.Our poor farrier had a really rough time with them at first as they were not used to having their hoofs done. They are stabled and rugged up through the winter as health-wise - unlike the original large Shetlands - they can be very delicate. In the summer they are fly sprayed daily and wear fly fringes to prevent eye infections caused by flies drinking from the moisture in their eyes.

Recently we rehomed six mini Shetlands. Four went to a loving home in Itchingfield and two went to a lovely home in the Witterings. Without our intervention and the care we have given them, all would otherwise have been put down! It is hugely rewarding to be able to rehome animals who have come to us in need of care and protection and to see them at some stage go on to lead happy and contented lives with people who genuinely care for them.