Blue Cross Looks for Loving Home for Swift the Native Pony

Swift, a nine-year-old Native pony, is in search of a new home in time for Christmas.

The young mare, who looks like a Thelwell Pony, was part of a large group of horses who were rescued from a small squalid farm, where they had been shockingly abused and neglected. 

The horses were put in cattle crushes and beaten and were often left to fight with other horses in the barn. Inspectors found dead horses all over the farm being eaten by starving dogs when they arrived at the site. Their owner was later prosecuted by the RSPCA.

After such a traumatic start to life the horses were understandably terrified of human touch when they arrived at the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Burford, Oxfordshire last year. 

But Swift and the rest of the group have come a long way, with many going off to new homes. Now the team are hoping they can find Swift a loving home in time for Christmas where he will make someone a beautiful companion horse.

“She had never known love and care before she arrived at Blue Cross and due to her traumatic past, she will never be a ridden horse but would be fantastic as a companion” said Vicki Alford, Blue Cross Burford horse rehoming manager.

“The team have taken things very slowly with her and have trained her using positive reinforcement, with food rewarding the desired behaviour and thanks to their love and care Swift has progressed really well. 

“After seeing some of her fellow stablemates go off to loving homes it would be great if we could get Swift a new family in time for Christmas.

“We are looking for a quiet new home with an experienced owner who will only use positive training on Swift and not put pressure on her.

“She is responding well to her training and has had all four feet picked up and been groomed all over but her new owner will have to be patient and give her the time to get used to her new surroundings.”

If you are interested in rehoming Swift then please visit bluecross.org.uk or contact Blue Cross Burford on 0300 777 1570. You can also make a donation to help Blue Cross help even more sick, injured and abandoned pets through our rehoming centres and hospitals.