Snowy's rescue

Collette Rushforth, welfare officer for the Horse and Pony Protection Association (HAPPA), in Briercliffe, near Burnley, found Snowy when she was called to wasteland in Preston by residents concerned about an abandoned grey pony.

When she arrived she found the horse was was very lame and unable to stand without assistance.

She tried to make contact with the owner, an elderly gentleman living a short distance from the waste ground, to discuss Snowy's condition, but found his home empty.

Notices were placed for the owner to contact HAPPA as soon as possible to discuss the pony and attempts were made to trace him through the police and social services, but to no avail.

Three days after her first visit in November Mrs Rushforth went back to check on Snowy, but found him lying down, in great pain and distress.

A vet visiting the animal the next day issued a certificate stating it had been subjected to unnecessary suffering, which enabled HAPPA to report the pony to police as found property.

Snowy could then be taken by horse ambulance to HAPPA's North West Rescue Centre at Shores Hey Farm.

Mrs Rushforth said Snowy had to make a difficult and painful journey up a steep embankment to get to the ambulance.

She said: "He was reluctant to move at first because of the pain, but with a bit of encouragement from HAPPA staff, who had come well prepared with Polo mints and pony nuts.

"Once he was on the road it became clear that his hooves had not received any attention for some months."

Snowy will be visited every fortnight by the farrier until his hooves are returned to full health and Mrs Rushforth said he is doing well.

"Snowy's future now looks bright," she said. "He has been officially signed over to HAPPA under the laws governing found property. He will now always have a home and will never again be left abandoned, alone and in pain".

The little grey pony can be visited at Shores Hey Farm, Saturday to Wednesday, 12 pm to 4 pm. For more information telephone 01282 435067.