Blue Cross Fairytale Pony Makes Dream Come True
8 years ago 
1015 views
With his long, flowing mane and beautiful dapples, little Cam could have trotted out of the pages of a fairytale. But this was far from the case when he first arrived at Blue Cross, as a thin, nervous and neglected youngster. His picture book looks won him plenty of attention at Your Horse Live last November when Blue Cross showcased him in the Redwings Rescue Village. Now he has found a life of contentment in a perfect new home in Cladswell near Redditch, where he is a dream-come-true for two young sisters.
Cam was only a year old when he was admitted to the charity’s specialist horse centre in Burford, Oxfordshire from the RSPCA. He was very underweight and had a debilitating respiratory infection. He was also wary of people and difficult to catch but with his naturally bold nature and the care and patience of Blue Cross handlers he was soon won over.
“Within a short time Cam went from wild welfare case, to normal youngster,” explains Blue Cross Horse Care Groom Clare Davey. “This was partly due to all the training he has received but also the fact that he is naturally inquisitive and has a willingness to please. I built up a strong bond with him and I felt as though he would do anything for me. One of my proudest moments was when he followed me straight into the trailer during loading practice, no questions asked.”
After a couple of years in a short term loan home where he was able to socialise with other youngsters, Cam came back to Blue Cross to be backed, much to Clare’s delight. She said: “He came on really quickly and was very willing to learn. We taught him to work both in the school and out hacking and even introduced him to jumping.”
Cam was an obvious choice to take to the Your Horse Live event, which is held at Stoneleigh every November. The show gives horse charities the opportunity to promote their welfare work and to showcase horses and ponies looking for loan homes. This is where April Griffiths and her daughters Ella and Amber set eyes on Cam for the first time.
“It was love at first sight when we all saw Cam,” said April. “But not for one minute did we think we would be able to get him – he’s such a handsome boy we knew hundreds would be after him. We already have a little grey mare called Tess who is our world but wanted another pony so both girls could ride together.
“We couldn’t believe it when Blue Cross got in touch to say we could go and try him. Ella rode him in the school the first time then went back to hack him out and the love was in stone! Cam is ridden most days and has gone from strength to strength. He will be looked after along with Tess for rest of his life, as when I get animals I can't let them go. He has sparkly new tack, a new stable and rugs and is spoilt rotten. We can't thank the charity enough for our little Cam.”
To find out more about how you can give a Blue Cross horse or pony a home or make a donation to Blue Cross please visit www.bluecross.org.uk. The Blue Cross supported loan scheme offers borrowers financial help with vaccinations and worming costs until the horse is four years old.
More from The Blue Cross
- Over 2,000 cats and dogs sterilised to avoid surge in strays in war-torn Ukraine
- Blue Cross publishes new ‘Mary King approved’ practical horse care guides
- Fur-ever in our hearts: Battersea volunteer pays tribute to sweet one-eyed ‘celebrity’ rescue dog
- Blue Cross urges struggling horse owners to ask for help sooner rather than later
- Loving new home for horse who was cruelly set alight during fight
