And in the arrivals lounge... foal for pony who shot to fame trying to board train

By CHRIS PARSONS

New arrival: Ruby and her new owner Michelle Crowther pose with the mare's new foal

She was the mare who became a worldwide sensation after trying to board a train, as well as walking into a hospital and a pub.

But now Ruby, who was taken into care amid fears for her health, has had her own new arrival after giving birth to a bay and white foal.

The mare shot to fame when her previous owner, Irish traveller Joe Purcell, was captured on CCTV leading his horse on to a train platform in Wrexham in May.


Happy and healthy: The as-yet unnamed foal playfully gallops around her new surroundings in Wrexham

Now Ruby has a new owner after the RSPCA took her into care and, two weeks ago, the mare gave birth to a beautiful skewbald - or white, brown and black - colt.

Her owner, housewife Michelle Crowther, 43, said the youngster has yet to be given a name and added: 'At the moment he's really shy but it's Ruby's fault because she's very protective and keeps pushing him behind her and making noises as if to say "Be careful" but he's very attentive and well behaved.'

'He’s really pretty with a lot of white on him and has an interesting quirk in that one set of eyelashes are black and the other set are white.


Caught on camera: The pony is led on to a train in Wrexham, Wales

'She’s a really, really good mother. She looks after him really well and has got him all organised. Ruby’s quite firm and bustling with him, but kind.

'She’s got him completely under control.'

Mother-of-three Michelle has not decided what to do with the colt but will keep the new arrival for the time being with husband Richard, 45, and the couple's three children at their home in Wrexham.


Unwell: A pregnant Ruby with her previous owner, traveller Joe Purcell

source: dailymail

Read more »

That's a pony and trapped! Unfortunate animal has to be cut free after getting trapped inside tractor tyre

By WIL LONGBOTTOM

Stop horsing about: Smila the pony got herself trapped inside a tractor tyre after apparent slipping over and falling into it while grazing in Limmer, Germany

A horse lover was left with a wheel emergency on her hands - after her pony Smila got trapped inside a huge tractor tyre.

Marlene Schmidt, 30, from Limmer, Germany, believes the horse had been trying to graze on fresh grass under the tyre when she slipped and fell head first into it.

The unfortunate animal was left trapped inside the tyre with one of her hind legs poking out and her head pushed into the ground.


This is getting a little tyred now: Firefighters used mechanical cutting equipment to free the terrified animal


Firefighters had to use hydraulic cutting equipment - normally used to rescue people from the wreckage of car crashes - to eventually free the terrified pony.

Fortunately, Smila was unhurt in the incident, apart from a few dents to her pride.

Ms Schmidt said: 'She's very playful and often gets into scrapes.

'But I am just happy that nothing worse happened.'


Why the long face? Smila bounds to her feet after her indignant ordeal as the tyre is finally cut in two

source: dailymail

Read more »

Gypsy gang 'deliberately drowned' elderly pony in lake in front of horrified families

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Killers: The gang deliberately drowned a pony by pushing it into Hawkley Lake, in Pinewood Park, near Yateley in Hampshire, until it was completely submerged


Police are hunting a gang of thugs who deliberately drowned a pony by pushing it into a lake.

Horrified onlookers spotted the group of 12 men and boys forcing the two-year-old animal and its trap into the 8ft-deep water.

Officers are also investigating reports the yobs used sticks to beat the piebald cob pony as it tried desperately to haul itself out of Hawley Lake, near Farnborough, Hampshire.


Crime scene: The RSPCA and Hampshire Police have launched a joint investigation into the incident


They also tried to push in two other ponies, also attached to their traps.

A horrified 21-year-old walker trying to rescue the first pony was kicked in the head and knocked unconscious by the panicking animal.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Frimley Park Hospital but has since been discharged.


Hauled out: Army Divers and Hampshire Fire and Rescue recovered the pony's body from the lake


Unable to clamber out, the pony tried to swim to the other side but was dragged down by the wooden trap and drowned on Saturday afternoon.

The body was removed from the lake by Hampshire Fire Service firefighters with the help of Ministry of Defence divers, who use the lake, in a three-hour operation.


source: dailymail

Read more »

Miniature pony owner launches desperate appeal to raise £6,000 for lifesaving surgery on Falabella's twisted legs

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Desperate plea: Minxy's owner Joanne Morris, 29, is asking for animal lovers to help her pay for the £6,000 surgery on her pony's twisted legs


A rare miniature pony born prematurely with twisted legs is facing death unless his owner can raise £6,000 to pay for lifesaving surgery.

Cute mini Minxy, a Falabella pony, was born just ten weeks ago at stables in St Blazey, Cornwall.

Owner Joanne Morris, from Truro, spent two weeks living in her car so she could provide round the clock care to the sick animal at her parents' stables.


Best friends: The pony, weighing just 13.5kg, has become best friends with five-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Chloe


She moved the pint sized pony, which is claimed to be the smallest male pony in the world at 17.6 inches tall, to her home to continue caring for him.

Joanne, 29, said: 'He needed feeding every half hour and couldn't stand to suckle from his mother.

'He was around six weeks premature and not fully formed. His legs were severely twisted.'

Around £1,600 has already been spent on vets' bills splinting Minxy's legs to help straighten them and wrapping them in bandages every day.

'His front legs have become a lot stronger but his back legs will need pinning. He needs a scan which costs £800 a leg plus around £4,000 to operate.'


Tiny horse: Minxy, standing at 17.6 inches tall is not much bigger than a two litre bottle of Coca Cola
Joanne continued: 'Without these operations he would not survive.


'Even though he is able to walk with the aid of splints, they are causing pressure sores and if they were to get infected could kill him.

'He is such a strong willed little fella - we want to give him the chance of a normal life.'

Falabellas born with such deformities are often put down because of the cost of correcting their deformities but Joanne has launched an appeal to save Minxy.


Poor pony: Miniature pony Minxy desperately needs lifesaving surgery on his twisted legs and his owner has launched an appeal to raise £6,000 for it


During his short life so far, the pony, weighing just 13.5kg, has also become best friends with five-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Chloe.

The pair have become inseparable since Minx was born and Chloe ‘mothers’ the pony by licking him clean.

Joanne is hoping that these adorable pictures will pull on the heartstrings of animal lovers, who will donate funds to help her cause.

source : dailymail

Read more »

Pony Express! Rail passenger is turned away after trying to board a train with his HORSE

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Seat for one... pony please: The man and his animal are captured on CCTV at Wrexham Generalis ticket office requesting to pay the creature's fare


When this passenger tried to buy a ticket for his pony at the rail station, staff must have thought the man was clearly horsing around.

However, when it became apparent the man was deadly serious, they told him the answer was an unequivocal 'neigh'.

The commuter arrived at the station in North Wales and tried to buy a ticket for himself and the animal for the 7.02pm service from Wrexham to Holyhead

Despite being told that large animals were not allowed in the carriages, he put the pony into a lift and took it down to the platform.


Going down? When the man was refused a ticket for his pony, he bundled it into the lift to take it on to the platform


It is not known why he wanted to transport the animal on the train.

The man eventually left the station - with his pony - when he was not allowed to board the service.

Arriva Trains Wales has released CCTV of the incident, which took place last Saturday.


Mind the gap: Staff were stunned when the man led his pony on to the platform ready to board the train


A spokeswoman said: 'We allows dogs and small animals to travel on board trains.

'All animals, except dogs, must be conveyed within a fully-enclosed basket or pet carrier with dimensions not exceeding 85cm x 60cm x 60cm.

'Large animals, including horses and ponies, which may pose a risk to the general public, are not permitted to travel.'


source: dailymail

Read more »