Introducing Ben, a stunning Chestnut Welsh Section D standing at 13.1hh. In 2015, Ben was found emaciated and living in appalling conditions by our equine inspector, he was taken to the safety of Shores Hey Farm where he received extensive rehabilitation under our care. Finally, the time came for Ben to embark on his new chapter in a Forever Home. It was then that he met Mary, his perfect match. Curious about Mary’s decision to rehome a HAPPA horse, we sat down with her to hear the story of when Ben and Mary first crossed paths.

More than four decades ago, a kind gesture from the legendary Pam Woods (Yard Manager and General Secretary) led to the rehoming of a little black Shetland pony named Blackie as a companion for my young home-bred mare. This act of generosity planted the initial seed for a lifelong commitment to offer a forever home to rescue equines. Fast forward 35 years, my home-bred 16.2-hand gelding, having lived a full and active life, was ready for retirement. This marked the beginning of my search for a new equine partner, eventually leading to Ben, a rescue pony from HAPPA.

Mary describes, “My journey with Ben began with an invitation to meet him at HAPPA. During the rehoming assessment, careful observations were made on how I approached Ben, prepared him for tacking up, and interacted with him in the arena. Ben had a calm and confident demeanour, despite being relatively green in his training. His willingness to learn and adapt shone through, although it was evident that he needed time to develop his balance, particularly his canter.

Once I brought Ben home, I found that he was well-mannered and enjoyed his groundwork, but his ridden work was still in its early stages. Despite his greenness, Ben showed a remarkable willingness to try new things. However, one challenge arose with his fussiness with the bit, which took years to address.

One of our favourite memories with Ben was when he won ‘Best Rescue Pony’ at Garstang Show (he went on to win it two more times!). Over the years we have had so many stand out moments with Ben, winning his first working hunter competition and winning Northern Dressage Group Points Championship in Novice Freestyle to Music.

My journey with Ben has been deeply rewarding. Witnessing his transformation from a rescued horse to a confident and capable partner brought us so much joy and fulfilment. By rehoming Ben, I feel that not only did I provide him with a loving home but also created space at HAPPA for another equine in need.

Looking back on my experience, I think it’s imperative to highlight the importance of visiting charity’s like HAPPA and talk to their knowledgeable staff before rehoming a horse or pony. This ensures you find out all about the equine’s medical history, temperament, and suitability for various activities. I believe HAPPA’s commitment to ensuring compatibility between horses and potential homes, along with ongoing support from the Loan Scheme Support Team emphasizes HAPPA’s dedication to equine welfare beyond initial rehoming.”

Ben’s journey shows the transformative power of rescue and rehoming efforts. Through the combined efforts of caring individuals and organisations like HAPPA, horses and ponies like Ben are given a second chance at a fulfilling life. As Ben continues to thrive in his Forever Home, Mary finds purpose and joy in their shared experiences, proving the deep bond between humans and equines established through compassion and commitment.

Find Out More About Rehoming