Three neglected ponies are to be rehomed in the island after a local animal-lover teamed up with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
The Company is going to bring across the animals from Penny Farm near Blackpool, a worldwide horse welfare rescue and rehabilitation centre which has been looking after them.
A resident in the west of the island has agreed to home two ponies and a Shetland.
She became aware of the ponies’ plight after visiting the centre, funded by the World Horse Welfare (WHW) charity, and then approached the Steam Packet Company to ask if it would be willing to transport them.
All ponies at the Farm arrive in very poor condition and are looked after by the WHW for at least a year before being released for adoption.
Two of the ponies being adopted were initially so neglected they were thin, their feet deformed and their coats matted.
The other, aged two, had to be lifted manually as she was too weak to stand.
However, the WHW does wonderful work, patiently gaining the ponies’ trust and caring for them.
All three are now described as timid but friendly and affectionate ponies and have been brought to the island after full veterinary checks.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘World Horse Welfare runs rescue farms all completely funded by donations from the public.
‘Thankfully pony welfare cases do not arise in the island very often so when this lady approached us we were happy to help.
‘Their new home will help them enjoy a much better life both physically and mentally.’
Photograph: Shetland pony in her new home
