As you can gather from the heading statement, I have some wonderful news to tell you all about. It’s all about a happy ending.

For the readers of Cottingham Times, those who follow me on Facebook and my website, I introduced Lucky last year when I was called out to this pony on a chain, somewhere he should not have been and suffering greatly from an unattended eye injury. His owner could not afford the surgery to remove what was left of the eye yet it could not be left untreated. In every other way Lucky was in great shape with no physical welfare issues at all. He had a wonderful bond with his human which was there for all to see.

Instead of forcibly taking the pony off him, a fund raising attempt was made where many local people plus our local RSPCA centre, came forward with such generosity and the surgery was completed at Rainbow Equine Hospital in Malton.

This done and the strict rehab followed at my yard, Lucky was returned to the care of his very grateful owner. I hated last winter, watching how very hard life is for a pony on a chain and just how much effort his owner put in to making sure Lucky wanted for nothing- apart from that elusive paddock which we so desperately needed for him to be able to live life off that dreaded chain. Being entire (a full stallion) put people off helping to home him. I allowed Lucky to be kept in my hay paddock for a few months through the winter, away from the streets and away from those idiots who think it’s funny to release tethered ponies into traffic. That’s another story altogether.

I see you!

The beautiful Lucky pony free from his chain

This springtime, Lucky went to stay at a farm near the coast for a few weeks where he was let free off that chain. I am very grateful to Victoria for her generosity in caring for Lucky and for offering him the respite he needed. His owner saw how content Lucky was running free and finally gave me permission to get him castrated. Yet again some local people helped by raising the money and yet again the Hull RSPCA centre helped fill in the short fall, to which I am eternally grateful.

To castrate a 13 yr old, mature horse is not a procedure undertaken lightly and as such needed a general anaesthetic, hospitalisation followed by weeks of aftercare- again given freely by myself and my staff here in Skidby. The unseasonal heat we have been experiencing has caused early fly infestation which led to a serious infection. Poor Lucky has had his bits cold hosed 3 times a day for week alongside Antibiotics and pain relief.

During his rehabilitation here at my yard, I was able to introduce Lucky to the close proximity of other horses. He learned how to behave nicely and found that he could earn the amazing reward of huge mutual grooming sessions with my 2 rescue ponies. He was in heaven and has melted into being a normal horse rather than the outcast stallion as was.

Eventually he was moved into being able to live freely with my 2 ponies, mooching about, grazing and foraging, sharing hay nets and salt licks. Enjoying the gorgeous mutual grooming sessions and finding out how life could be and should be for a normal horse. His owner has enjoyed being with him here, spending time grooming and washing him- and cold hosing his bits!

I have been keeping Lucky’s story going in the public eye through my social media sites and he now has a huge fan club of adoring horsey folk who have gained much pleasure in watching him develop this way.

The great news is that a local lady (and friend for over 25 years) and her husband have offered Lucky a free roaming life with her 2 horses on her rented land. They met his owner, who has since helped tidy up the paddock and will continue to be of help to them and share his beloved pony with them. Plans are to return Lucky to driving, which he loves. Pleasure driving is a lovely pastime and one that they can all enjoy together, once Lucky is completely recovered post opp. Thank you so much guys! xx

This pony is no longer an island. His owner has his pony back and Lucky has travelled full circle into becoming a pony in a proper pony life and will never be on a chain ever again. J

I have many people to thank for supporting me through all of this over the past year, both financing the veterinary fees and giving me encouragement. I have suffered abuse and hate mail because I stood up for one man’s right to keep the pony he loves just because he does not fit into some peoples black and white society. I have learned so much along the way. Life is not black and white. It is filled with grey. Empathy, understanding and sympathy come at a price and cannot be bought. Their value is the greatest thing on earth. Thank you so much to everyone involved.

Lucky really is the Luckiest of Lucky pony’s! His owner is happy. Lucky’s new carers are over the moon with this delightful pony. Needless to say how happy am I!

Big smiles all round!

As you can gather from the heading statement, I have some wonderful news to tell you all about. It’s all about a happy ending.

For the readers of Cottingham Times, those who follow me on Facebook and my website, I introduced Lucky last year when I was called out to this pony on a chain, somewhere he should not have been and suffering greatly from an unattended eye injury. His owner could not afford the surgery to remove what was left of the eye yet it could not be left untreated. In every other way Lucky was in great shape with no physical welfare issues at all. He had a wonderful bond with his human which was there for all to see.

Instead of forcibly taking the pony off him, a fund raising attempt was made where many local people plus our local RSPCA centre, came forward with such generosity and the surgery was completed at Rainbow Equine Hospital in Malton.

This done and the strict rehab followed at my yard, Lucky was returned to the care of his very grateful owner. I hated last winter, watching how very hard life is for a pony on a chain and just how much effort his owner put in to making sure Lucky wanted for nothing- apart from that elusive paddock which we so desperately needed for him to be able to live life off that dreaded chain. Being entire (a full stallion) put people off helping to home him. I allowed Lucky to be kept in my hay paddock for a few months through the winter, away from the streets and away from those idiots who think it’s funny to release tethered ponies into traffic. That’s another story altogether.

This springtime, Lucky went to stay at a farm near the coast for a few weeks where he was let free off that chain. I am very grateful to Victoria for her generosity in caring for Lucky and for offering him the respite he needed. His owner saw how content Lucky was running free and finally gave me permission to get him castrated. Yet again some local people helped by raising the money and yet again the Hull RSPCA centre helped fill in the short fall, to which I am eternally grateful.

To castrate a 13 yr old, mature horse is not a procedure undertaken lightly and as such needed a general anaesthetic, hospitalisation followed by weeks of aftercare- again given freely by myself and my staff here in Skidby. The unseasonal heat we have been experiencing has caused early fly infestation which led to a serious infection. Poor Lucky has had his bits cold hosed 3 times a day for week alongside Antibiotics and pain relief.

During his rehabilitation here at my yard, I was able to introduce Lucky to the close proximity of other horses. He learned how to behave nicely and found that he could earn the amazing reward of huge mutual grooming sessions with my 2 rescue ponies. He was in heaven and has melted into being a normal horse rather than the outcast stallion as was.

Eventually he was moved into being able to live freely with my 2 ponies, mooching about, grazing and foraging, sharing hay nets and salt licks. Enjoying the gorgeous mutual grooming sessions and finding out how life could be and should be for a normal horse. His owner has enjoyed being with him here, spending time grooming and washing him- and cold hosing his bits!

I have been keeping Lucky’s story going in the public eye through my social media sites and he now has a huge fan club of adoring horsey folk who have gained much pleasure in watching him develop this way.

The great news is that a local lady (and friend for over 25 years) and her husband have offered Lucky a free roaming life with her 2 horses on her rented land. They met his owner, who has since helped tidy up the paddock and will continue to be of help to them and share his beloved pony with them. Plans are to return Lucky to driving, which he loves. Pleasure driving is a lovely pastime and one that they can all enjoy together, once Lucky is completely recovered post opp. Thank you so much guys! xx

This pony is no longer an island. His owner has his pony back and Lucky has travelled full circle into becoming a pony in a proper pony life and will never be on a chain ever again. J

I have many people to thank for supporting me through all of this over the past year, both financing the veterinary fees and giving me encouragement. I have suffered abuse and hate mail because I stood up for one man’s right to keep the pony he loves just because he does not fit into some peoples black and white society. I have learned so much along the way. Life is not black and white. It is filled with grey. Empathy, understanding and sympathy come at a price and cannot be bought. Their value is the greatest thing on earth. Thank you so much to everyone involved.

Lucky really is the Luckiest of Lucky pony’s! His owner is happy. Lucky’s new carers are over the moon with this delightful pony. Needless to say how happy am I!

v