Abandoned alongside another equine, both were tightly tethered and left to face the freezing winter alone. Thanks to a call from a member of the public, our team were able to intervene just in time. Terrified and exhausted, Juliet had broken free from her tether but was too frightened to be approached and had to be sedated to ensure her rescue. Tragically, the second equine’s injuries were too severe and he could not be saved.

Once Juliet arrived at Shores Hey Farm, our Equine Care Team immediately began treatment for a serious eye injury and worked around the clock to stabilise her. Beneath her thick coat, her body’s desperate attempt to survive the cold, she was painfully thin. Despite expert care, Juliet permanently lost the sight in her right eye, leaving a small shrunken mark that serves as a lasting reminder of her resilience.

Just as she began to settle and regain confidence, a new challenge emerged. The team suspected that Juliet might be in foal and blood tests confirmed their fears. At just three years old, she was pregnant. Carrying a foal at such a young age can be extremely dangerous, but with a dedicated care plan, strict nutrition regime and gentle handling, our team did everything possible to keep her safe.

As the months passed, however, Juliet showed few of the usual signs of pregnancy. An ultrasound scan seemed to confirm she wasn’t carrying, but later blood results once again indicated high hormone levels, suggesting she might still be pregnant after all. It was an emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved. The team continued their 24-hour monitoring with extraordinary patience and care.

Eventually, after many anxious weeks, a final internal examination confirmed that Juliet was not in foal and that she was otherwise in excellent health. The relief across the yard was overwhelming. After everything she had endured, Juliet could finally look forward to the peaceful life she deserves.

Today, Juliet continues to grow in confidence every day. Once fearful of human contact, she now enjoys gentle attention from her handlers and the companionship of her equine friends. Her journey from trauma to trust is a powerful reminder of why our work matters and of the difference that compassion, time and specialist care can make.

If you’d like to support Juliet and other horses like her on their road to recovery, you can become a HAPPA Sponsor and help give more equines a second chance.

Sponsor Juliet or another horse today