BELLA
An aged and skinny grey pony mare, believed to be over 20 years old was put into an auction along with her foal. The foal sold quickly. A lady at the auction knew that the older horse had no working life left in her so was likely to be sold cheaply to an uncertain fate. The lady bought the mare. Within weeks, however, she realised that she couldn’t realistically keep the horse so came along to the Sanctuary for help.

GORDON
A sweet little foal only a few months old was left tethered on a grass verge by a motorway slip road without a drink of water. A concerned passer-by contacted us and after liaising with the police we sent a vehicle from the Sanctuary to collect him.

LUCKY STAR
This lively chestnut mare was reported to us in distress, with overgrown hooves, out at grass with a stillborn foal. One of the Sanctuary staff visited the site and found this to be true so informed the RSPCA immediately. The RSPCA attended promptly with a vet who we think successfully gave the mare an injection. As no-one knew the owner the inspector had no option then to leave a note on a fence. A few days later we revisited and the mare was still in the field so we left a note from the Sanctuary offering to care for the animal if the owner would sell at a reasonable price. The owner phoned us and agreed to take her to the Sanctuary. The owner admitted to the mare being 14 years old and having delivered a foal every year since she was able. Lucky Star is now at the Sanctuary in peaceful retirement.

SULLIVAN
A 10 month old skewbald colt foal came to the Sanctuary as a sorrowful looking undernourished bag of bones. Constant and ‘round the clock’ care was required to nurse him back to health and after numerous visits from the Vet regained his strength and vitality. He was named after the famous script writer of the TV series, ‘Only Fools and Horses’.

STAR , HARTLEY AND THOMAS
These three timid and frightened foals were brought to the Sanctuary for the care they needed desperately. Each was in poor condition, Star in particular. Progress was slow, but with the diligent care from the Sanctuary staff, Hartley and Thomas responded and were brought back to health in no time. Star was not responding so well and on investigation it was discovered that he had developed an umbilical hernia. It had been there since birth but had suddenly increased to the size of a tennis ball. The Sanctuary vet advised an early operation and once this was successfully completed Star properly began his recovery. All three foals developed well at the Sanctuary and are now being properly cared for.

PHILCO
An aged 13 hand high pony with a great personality came to the Sanctuary to retire. Aged 30 plus this gentleman was well known in the East Lancashire area. We know little of his early life apart from being a ridden horse for children and a prolific prize winner at local shows. His one claim to fame is believed to be that he qualified as a show jumper for Wembley one year. Philco is one of the gentlest and safest ponies at the Sanctuary and a complete joy to work with. In his retirement his favourite drink is tea from a very large cup.

SONNY BOY
This flaxen colt was rescued as a weak four month old and once stabled at the Sanctuary it was obvious he needed special attention. At barely 30 inches high he looked pathetic as he just stood in the corner of his stable with his head down and had to be coaxed to eat his special feeds. Through the patient attention of Sanctuary staff he soon felt at home and thrived on the attention he got from visitors. He became so used to meeting people and was such a gentle animal with children he went out to public events and shows with Sanctuary staff. Sonny Boy has visited a nursery school, has been to the set of Coronation Street where he met all the stars of the show, and also to Radio Lancashire indoor studio - all without mishap.

BILL
This coloured pony came to the Sanctuary during a fierce blizzard in the middle of winter. When he arrived at the Sanctuary the 200 yard lane from the main road to the stables was blocked. He was weak and tired from the journey and had to be lifted and carried down the lane. On investigating we found he was worm infested and literally starved, he took many weeks to fully recover.