Esme’s story of adopting her Welsh Mountain Pony proves that good things come in small packages.
Hey there everyone! Are you ready for an incredible story about a pony named Duke?
I want to introduce you to my friend Duke, a special pony who became a part of my herd two years ago. But let me tell you, life hasn’t always been smooth for Duke.
I’m super proud to be a patron of World Horse Welfare (WHW), an amazing international organization based in England that cares for horses and works to make their lives better. They believe in creating a strong bond between horses and humans, whether it’s in work, at home, or even in sports!
For five years, I’ve been supporting WHW and capturing their heartwarming stories at their rehoming and adoption centers. Over here in the U.S., the ASPCA does similar fantastic work, protecting horses from harm and finding them loving forever homes through their ASPCA Right Horse adoption program.
Personality For Days
Now, let me take you back two years ago to when I met the incredible Duke. This tiny but fast Welsh Mountain Pony was a true survivor! Imagine being left all alone on a mountainside, just a few days old, without your mom by your side.
Thanks to the caring folks at WHW, Duke got the help he needed. They took him to their hospital, gave him all the veterinary care he required, and nursed him back to health. Despite being dehydrated and underweight, Duke fought through it all and pulled through.
I’ll never forget the day I first met Duke. The sun was shining, and we were filming at a rehoming center in the U.K. This little pony had a big personality and a heart full of love. In fact, he was so friendly that he couldn’t resist getting up close and personal with my camera operator!
We ended up with tons of footage of Duke’s adorable nose in the lens. It was clear that this tiny pony with a huge character was ready for a new adventure—an adoption into a loving forever home where he could spend the rest of his days.
Responsible Rehoming
You know, it always worries me when people can just go out and buy a horse without any checks or guarantees that they’ll be cared for properly. But adoption is a whole different story! Organizations like WHW and the ASPCA make sure that horses like Duke find the best homes possible.
Even though I had been involved with the charity for years, I still had to prove myself as a responsible owner. A welfare officer came to visit and checked that my stables, paddocks, and yard were safe for Duke. I also had a handling visit where I showed my skills in taking care of a young horse. Plus, I had to provide details about my trustworthy farrier and veterinarian. It was all worth it to make sure Duke would have the happy life he deserved.
Fast forward a few weeks, and guess what? I was driving the horse trailer to pick up Duke and bring him to his new home! Can you imagine how exciting that was? Duke had only been trailered once before when he was fighting for his life, so this was a brand-new experience for him.
I made sure he was comfortable with a cozy bed of shavings and lots of hay. He traveled really well, and during the three-hour journey, he mostly snoozed in the back while I peeked at him through a video feed in the cab.
Happy New Home
Duke settled into his new home in no time and became best friends with Mickey, his field partner. Those two are quite the pair! They love to have what we call “zoomies,” where they race around the field at full speed. It keeps them fit and healthy while having a blast!
I have found adopting a horse to be really rewarding. It gives these beautiful and sensitive creatures a second chance at a wonderful life.
And you know what I’ve learned? Having a meaningful and healthy relationship with a horse doesn’t always mean having to ride them. Duke, for instance, is quite small—just 10 hands high—so jumping isn’t going to work with those little legs! But that doesn’t stop us from having a fantastic time together. There are endless ways to enjoy our special bond.
If you are ever thinking about horse adoption in the U.S., check out the ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse listings nationwide at www.myrighthorse.org.
This story of Esme adopting her pony appeared in the September/October 2023 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
