Rosie in her new home
Dorothy Shaw, 63, from Wollaton, Nottingham is delighted to have found a new home for her elderly pony Rosie, after a bereavement meant she could no longer afford Rosie's upkeep.
Rosie, a 13.2hh Bay Mare in her mid-20s, travelled 120 miles in a horse box to reach The Horse Trust's Home of Rest for Horses, where she will spend the remainder of her life.
Dorothy looked to The Horse Trust for help when her husband Peter died in July 2008.
"When my husband suddenly died of a heart attack I couldn't afford to keep Rosie any more. He had always paid for her upkeep - I'm only living on a pension so can't afford it on my own," said Dorothy.
Although Dorothy misses Rosie, she is grateful to have found a place at the sanctuary.
"We were absolutely elated when we heard that The Horse Trust was able to take her in - it was a big weight lifted off my shoulders. We went to visit the Home of Rest and thought the place was wonderful - it's what Rosie deserves," said Dorothy.
Dorothy owned Rosie for five years and regularly went hacking, as well as showing her at local shows. Rosie even played a role in Christmas celebrations at the village of Aston-on-Trent in 2005 where, dressed up as a reindeer, she rode through the village with a local girl in a pixie outfit on her back.
"She was a lovely family pet and we all loved her very much," says Dorothy, who plans to visit Rosie at her new home soon.
Shirley Abbott, Yard Manager of The Horse Trust, said: "We are glad that we have been able to help Dorothy in her moment of need and look after her beloved pony. Rosie has given so much joy to her owners and we hope she will have a happy and healthy retirement at the Home of Rest."
The Horse Trust provides lifetime sanctuary for more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys from many different backgrounds. The charity depends on public donations to fund its work - it costs £15 per day to look after each horse at the sanctuary. Donations are welcomed – please click on the “bucket of carrots” to help us help more horses like Rosie.
