Shiraz was one of 137 horses rescued from severe neglect in late 2019 from the Whispering Willows horse sanctuary.
Of these equines, 15 of the youngest ponies, including 5-month-old Shiraz, were brought to and cared for by Mare and Foal Sanctuary, just outside of Newton Abbot, UK.
This rescue would be a turning point for the young foal.
In dismal condition at the start of life, covered in feces, infested with parasites, Shiraz would see a breathtaking transformation into a majestic animal in the years following.
A team leader at the sanctuary’s Upcott Park site, Jess, shared about the pony’s dire health at the time with The Epoch Times: “He was worryingly undernourished and dirty. His high worm count was also affecting his health.”
Sanctuary carers first had to wash the filth off Shiraz’s body from living in poor conditions. He then needed to be deep-cleansed of a host of parasites. This occurred during quarantine at the sanctuary’s special vet and intensive care facility, before he was finally moved to their Honeysuckle sanctuary for rehabilitation in December 2019.
After Shiraz’s worm problem was solved, his liver condition improved and he soon regained a healthy weight.
Now rejuvenated, with time to heal, a brand-new pony emerged. Shiraz was brought to Upcott Park Sanctuary with the other rescued ponies in August 2020, where he would grow to look robust and amazing.
At end of the following summer in 2021, he was rehomed by a new carer, Mischa. She then noticed his particularly close-knit friendship with another pony from Whispering Willows whom she also rehomed onto her land, where many diverse yet friendly animals call home.
Both ponies, now inseparable, are adorable together, and are spotted walking trails and enjoying their pony spa days together. “Both like to sleep while they get groomed, pampered, and coiffured,” Mischa said.
Mischa’s love for her new, inspiring equines has given her a new vitality as well. “They have enriched our lives and provided a level of wellbeing I never thought was possible! Their love, warmth, and calm light me up daily,” she said.
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary offers all of its ponies and horses sanctuary for life should they ever need to come back.
It would seem, though, that this once downtrodden colt has found his happily ever after at his new, grassy, pasture-filled forever home.
