We rescued Buddy in 2011 after he was discovered emaciated, weighing just 107kg, with severe scouring and in critical need of veterinary attention. At the time, he was so weak he couldn’t even stand, requiring regular lifting to keep him safe and comfortable.
The little pony was found after a call came in that some horses had escaped and were wandering locally. Remarkably, Buddy had taken shelter in a local lady’s garden, wearing a rug in an attempt to hide just how underweight he was. His heart-breaking story quickly captured hearts, gaining attention in the local media and highlighting the urgent need for rescue and care.
Buddy’s intensive care...
Buddy’s recovery required intensive and complex veterinary treatment. In his fragile state, he underwent not just one, but six separate blood transfusions to give him the strength to survive. Each transfusion was a critical lifeline, helping his body to recover from the severe neglect he had suffered. Alongside this, he needed careful monitoring, specialist medication, and round-the-clock support from our dedicated team, who refused to give up on him.
Despite the immense challenges, Buddy’s strength grew slowly but steadily. Every small improvement – from being able to stand a little longer, to taking his first stronger steps, was a victory celebrated by the whole HorseWorld family. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our grooms, vets, and farriers, and Buddy’s own remarkable will to live, he began to turn a corner and show us that he was ready to fight for his future.
Meeting Monty Roberts...
A special highlight in Buddy’s journey came when he met Monty Roberts, world-renowned “horse whisperer” and HorseWorld’s patron. Monty, who has dedicated his life to promoting kindness and understanding in horsemanship, was deeply moved by Buddy’s story of survival.
Monty spent time getting to know Buddy, recognising both the trauma he had endured and the extraordinary progress he had made. This meeting not only celebrated Buddy’s incredible recovery but also shone a brighter spotlight on the importance of rescue and patient rehabilitation for neglected horses and ponies everywhere. For the HorseWorld team, it was a proud and emotional moment to see Buddy, once on the brink of death, acknowledged and honoured by one of the most respected figures in the equestrian world.
Buddy's next steps...
As Buddy regained his health, his cheeky character and friendly nature began to shine. He met countless supporters at HorseWorld’s Visitor Centre before it closed in 2014, where his remarkable story inspired visitors and helped raise vital awareness of our rescue and rehabilitation work.
Buddy also became a sponsorship star, with supporters following his incredible transformation and cheering him on every step of the way. Once he began training, it was clear he would also be perfectly suited to the HorseWorld Discovery programme, where he went on to help vulnerable children and young people through equine-assisted learning.
Buddy's legacy...
Over the years, Buddy went out on a few loan homes as a much-loved ridden pony. Later in life, when Buddy began to suffer from increasing lameness, he returned to HorseWorld and was given a permanent sanctuary home so our team could care for him closely. He enjoyed spending time with his herd mates while receiving the best possible care from our team. Sadly, his early hardships eventually caught up with him. When his quality of life declined, the difficult decision was made to let him go. Surrounded by people who cared deeply for him, Buddy was peacefully euthanised in January 2026. Buddy’s life began in hardship. But he lived – and was loved – exactly as every horse should be. We gave him a happy and fulfilled life that he may never had experienced without our help. If you'd like to honour Buddy's legacy, please consider making a donation so we can help more like him.
