In 2017, HorseWorld, alongside Redwings Horse Sanctuary and multiple other equine charities, came together to rescue a large group of 27 neglected and abandoned Shire horses.
The owner, who had once bred and shown Shire horses including Dime, one of the mares later taken in by HorseWorld, had stopped providing even the most basic care. The horses’ condition had been deteriorating for some time. Despite being given notice to vacate the land, the owner refused to move them, and urgent intervention was needed to save their lives.
HorseWorld took in three mares from this rescue: Dime, Florin, and Lolly. Out of the three, Lolly was the youngest and, sadly, in the worst condition.
When Lolly arrived, her situation was heart-breaking. She was severely underweight, battling liver fluke, and suffering with dental problems. Even more concerning, she was uncoordinated and weak in her hind end, raising fears that she may have had a serious neurological condition.
Despite this, Lolly’s sweet, gentle nature shone through. She quickly won the hearts of the grooms and became a favourite on the yard.
Lolly enjoying cuddles with groom Vicky
Lolly's life-changing dental surgery...
As part of her rehabilitation, it soon became clear that one of Lolly’s teeth was causing her immense pain and preventing her from eating properly. The only way to relieve her suffering was through a specialist equine dental surgery to remove the tooth.
This complex procedure came with a daunting cost of £3,000. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters, we were able to raise the funds and give Lolly the treatment she desperately needed. The surgery was a success, and her recovery was incredible. She was finally able to eat comfortably and gain the weight she so badly needed.
A path to physical rehabilitation...
As Lolly grew and her condition stabilised, we were able to bring in a vet specialising in neurological assessments to investigate the cause of her ongoing hind-end weakness.
Thankfully, it was determined that her issues were not neurological. Instead, they were more likely the result of trauma to her pelvic area earlier in life. This gave us hope that with the right in-hand physical rehabilitation, Lolly could build strength and enjoy a good quality of life.
Big in size, bigger in heart...
Because of her complex needs and her giant breed, Lolly will remain a permanent resident of HorseWorld. She is our tallest resident standing at 18.3hh, but despite her size, she is one of the gentlest souls on the farm.
Lolly absolutely adores people and has a calm, affectionate nature that makes her a joy to spend time with. She has now become one of our much-loved sponsor horses, meaning supporters can play a special part in her ongoing care. She particularly loves greeting everyone at our events and showing them what a sweet, gentle giant she really is.
Now fully grown, Lolly is thriving in the HorseWorld herd. She continues to receive tailored rehabilitation and expert care, but above all, she is happy, pain-free, and surrounded by love.
From being the most vulnerable of the Shire rescue group, Lolly has blossomed into a gentle giant with a huge heart. As one of our beloved sponsor horses, she now represents the importance of second chances that your support makes possible every single day.