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.
Welcoming Lolly...
When Lolly arrived, her situation was heart-breaking. She was severely underweight, battling liver fluke, and suffering with a complex skin condition on her legs. Even more concerning, she was uncoordinated and weak in her hind end, raising fears that she may have had a serious neurological condition.
Yet, despite her challenges, Lolly’s sweet, gentle nature shone through. She quickly captured the hearts of the grooms and soon became a much-loved favourite on the yard.
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.
Because of her size, 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. Following this news, she started having regular groundwork sessions with our training team which included long-lining, pole work and lateral movements.
Big in size, bigger in heart...
Because of her complex needs and her giant breed, it was decided that Lolly would remain a permanent resident of HorseWorld. She was our tallest resident standing at 18.3hh, but despite her size, she was one of the gentlest souls on the farm.
Lolly absolutely adored people and had a calm, affectionate nature that made her a joy to spend time with. She particularly loved greeting everyone at our events and showing them what a sweet, gentle giant she really is.
Sadly, at the beginning of 2026, Lolly’s skin condition on her legs deteriorated to the point that she was no longer comfortable and was living with ongoing pain, with no prospect of improvement. Our team did everything possible to support her and protect her quality of life, but as her health continued to decline, the hardest — yet kindest — decision was made to let her go peacefully.
Lolly spent nine happy years at HorseWorld, where she was much loved and enjoyed life to the full. She will be deeply missed. If you would like to remember Lolly and see the memories she leaves behind, please visit her memorial page by clicking here.