The Horse Trust Finds New Home For Spindles Farm Rescue Pony At Youth Charity

28 June 2011: Spindles Farm rescue pony Star, a 13hh five-year-old black gelding, last week travelled from The Horse Trust in Speen, Buckinghamshire to his new home at Oakwood Youth Challenge in Wokingham, Berkshire. Star with Becky, Jemma, Lily and Rachel at Oakwood Youth Challenge When Star was rescued from Spindles Farm, he was severely underweight and suffering from a salmonella infection. He was only 8 months old at the time and was the youngest pony to be rescued. Star's body condition was of grave concern to staff at The Horse Trust, as he weighed only 197kg, rather than 250kg, which would have been normal for a foal of his age. Staff at The Horse Trust nurtured Star back to health and within four months he had gained 54kg. As Star has never been ridden before, The Horse Trust needed to find a new owner who would be able to train him from scratch. Liane Crowther, Welfare Development Manager at The Horse Trust, said Oakwood Youth Challenge, a Christian charity that provides physical, emotional and spiritual challenges to young people, including riding tuition to disadvantaged and disabled children, is the ideal home for Star as he is a calm, friendly horse who is good with children. "We are delighted that Oakwood Youth Challenge has been able to offer Star a new home. I'm sure he will love his new home," said Liane. Caroline Gilford, Stable Yard Manager at Oakwood Youth Challenge, said Star has settled in well and is a lovely pony. "Star settled in well straight away - he was very calm and interested in what was going on," said Caroline. "Considering what he went through in his first year, he is a very sweet pony. He's had three and a half years to recuperate at The Horse Trust and staff have obviously done a wonderful job with him." Caroline said the children who use Oakwood's facilities were very excited about his arrival. The Horse Trust put together a storyboard about Star's life so far, which the children have been reading. "We hadn't told the kids that Star was arriving, so his arrival was a lovely surprise. They absolutely love him as he's such a good looking pony and so friendly," said Caroline. "It's nice to give him a second chance as he hasn't had a great start in life, like many of the children we work with." The Horse Trust depends on the support of the public to look after rescue horses such as Star. It costs the charity an average of £10 per day to look after each horse at the sanctuary, which includes the costs of grooms, forage, farriery and veterinary care. To donate to The Horse Trust, please visit www.horsetrust.org.uk, or contact the charity on 01494 488 464 or [email protected]

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