Horrific injuries to happy home

Horrific injuries on both back legs have left extensive scars that give a clue to tiny Megan’s suffering.

Underweight and with overgrown hooves, the miniature Shetland pony was terrified when police brought her to Blue Cross.

At just eighteen months old, poor Megan was in a terrible state.

Facing months of specialist treatment to help her recover from her awful injuries and neglect, the little palomino pony needed dedicated care. 

Not only did the bandages on her deep leg wounds need changing regularly but, once they’d healed, Megan needed intensive physiotherapy as the scar tissue was restricting her movement.

Two years later and it’s hard to believe Megan is the same pony that was brought to our Burford centre.

The 8HH filly may still be a youngster herself, but her confidence has grown so much that she gives a helping hoof to other ponies in need of Blue Cross care.

Now in a loving home with rehomer Chloe Benjamin, the adorable Shetland makes her family “smile every day”.

First taking Megan on as a foster pony when her own ridden horse sadly passed away, Chloe can’t believe the transformation in the confident Shetland.

“I met Megan when she first came into Blue Cross as a tiny baby with all her bandages still on,” explains Chloe, who has cared for Shetlands since she was a child and was working as an equine nursing assistant when she met Megan.

“She was such a skinny little pony when I first met her, and her wounds were quite deep.

“I was feeling a bit empty after my horse had passed away, so I was over the moon to be offered Meg.

“Meg’s been our permanent resident for the past two years and we’ve fostered another five Blue Cross ponies since she’s been here.

“She’s been our little foster mum and brings out the confidence in them. Her personality is amazing.”

Enjoying her favourite treat of a fresh banana, or following Chloe and her wheelbarrow around, Megan has settled into her life as a happy companion pony.

As well as giving a much-needed boost to other foster ponies, Megan shares her new home with 13-year-old chestnut Mullion, another Blue Cross rescue pony who has been with Chloe for the past six years.

“They are such a cute couple,” adds Chloe. “Meg’s very confident and just takes everything in her stride."

"She’s such a wonderful pony considering where she’s come from," explains Chloe, who enjoys making a fuss of the little Shetland.

“Meg has massive scars on both back legs along the front of her fetlocks. The wounds were quite deep so the scars will be there for life but she’s got no worries now. Meg makes us smile every day.”

For Lauren Bush, Horse Rehoming Coordinator at Blue Cross, seeing Megan flourishing is a happy result.

"Megan came to us in such a sad state, underweight, with overgrown hooves and very bad rear leg wounds," says Lauren.

"It's a delight to see her now after a long recovery, enjoying pony life with her new family and four-hooved friends."