Meet Willow

Willow is a 10 year old, Dartmoor cross, black pony. She stands around 12.3hh and has pretty white markings. She came to HorseWorld in 2022, having previously been outgrown as a child’s pony.

Willow had some behavioural issues to work through and has taken patient rehabilitation. After investigating, our vets found that she has mild kissing spine which explained her defensive behaviours. Willow has progressed well through her rehabilitation plan and is now comfortable, field sound and generally well behaved for routine handling. We would like to find her a new home as a non-ridden companion with an adult handler.

Willow currently lives in a mixed herd and gets on well with other horses, although she likes to take a more dominant mare position particularly over smaller ponies. She needs to be managed for mild sweet itch in the summer months. We use a fly rug, a weekly application of Switch and keep her in an electrified paddock, which works well for her. Over winter, her sweet itch management can be more relaxed, only needing an electrified paddock.

She can be stabled for short periods of time and is settled in the stable, so she may make a good companion to a ridden horse that goes out occasionally, if the rehomer were prepared to incrementally get her used to being left alone. Willow has formed a good relationship with her groom, who has built Willow's confidence working independently and takes her for walks in hand. This helps maintain muscle to support her back, whilst also helping with weight management. Willow can be prone to weight gain, so requires restricted grazing over the summer months.

Willow is a pretty girl who has the potential to be a good companion to another horse with similar needs to her. We feel she would thrive on a one-to-one home with a competent handler, who would give consistent handling and enjoy continuing her in hand exercises.