Ariel and Jewels: Shetland Ponies Saved from 'Agonising' Hoof Damage Ready for First Public Appearance

Mother-and-daughter pair Ariel and Jewels are recovering well after being rescued from severe neglect and will meet supporters for the first time at HorseWorld's annual Horse Fest Open Day on Saturday 25 July.

Earlier this year, Ariel and her daughter Jewels featured in HorseWorld's Spring Appeal. At the time, because they were part of an active investigation, we could only share photographs of their overgrown hooves and the x-rays that revealed the shocking extent of their injuries.

Now, we can finally introduce them properly.

Ariel and Jewels arrived at HorseWorld in January after concerns about their welfare were reported to the RSPCA. Both ponies were suffering from severely overgrown hooves that made walking almost impossible.

X-rays revealed chronic laminitis, with significant rotation of the pedal bone in all four feet. The damage had developed over a prolonged period and was causing extreme pain.

HorseWorld's Equine Welfare Advisor, Meg Challinor, was among the team that responded to the emergency call.

"When the call and initial photos came in from the RSPCA, I knew we had to act fast. Within 40 minutes we were onsite with the emergency vet. I knew immediately they had been suffering for a long time.

"Their hooves had grown so badly that the bones inside their feet had shifted. Their joints had begun to collapse. Every single step they took was clearly absolutely agonising. They needed to be removed immediately."

As well as their hoof problems, both ponies were underweight. Young Jewels also had a deep indentation around her face where a headcollar had been left on for an extended period.

When they arrived at HorseWorld, our welfare, veterinary and farrier teams carried out urgent assessments to determine whether recovery was possible and what treatment would be needed. Despite the severity of their condition, Ariel and Jewels quickly showed their bright personalities and remarkable resilience.

Over the past six months, they have received specialist veterinary treatment, expert farriery, careful nutritional management and round-the-clock support from HorseWorld's welfare team. Thanks to that dedicated care, both ponies have made excellent progress.

Today, Ariel and Jewels are enjoying a future that once seemed impossible.

Visitors to Horse Fest on Saturday 25 July will have the opportunity to meet them in person and learn more about their recovery journey. The event offers a unique chance to go behind the scenes at HorseWorld, meet rescued horses and ponies, enjoy demonstrations and activities, and discover more about our work helping vulnerable equines across the South West.

While Ariel and Jewels' story is a positive one, sadly they are not an isolated case.

HorseWorld continues to receive increasing numbers of calls about horses and ponies in crisis, while the cost of veterinary treatment, transport, farriery and essential care continues to rise. In many situations, being able to respond quickly can make the difference between life and death.

Meg said: "Ariel and Jewels are just two of many horses who urgently need help each year. Cases like theirs remind us why it is so important that we can act immediately when concerns are reported. Every horse deserves the chance of a safe, healthy future."

Horse Fest takes place at HorseWorld on Saturday 25 July. We hope you'll join us to celebrate the incredible journeys of horses like Ariel and Jewels and see first-hand the difference your support makes.

For tickets and event information, visit horseworld.org.uk/events.