Rescuing Sierra...
Perry’s story begins with her mother, Sierra, who was rescued by HorseWorld in 2015 from horrendous conditions that led to a successful prosecution against her previous owners. When Sierra arrived, she was traumatised and terrified of people - a result of the severe neglect and mistreatment she had endured.
The HorseWorld team worked patiently to help Sierra feel safe again, providing the care, compassion, and consistency she desperately needed. The following year, Sierra gave birth to a healthy foal who we named Perry, after one of the police officers that helped in Sierra's rescue. For the first time, Sierra and her baby were safe, well-fed and surrounded by kindness.
Growing up at HorseWorld...
Because of her mother’s deep fear of humans, Perry didn’t have much interaction with people in her earliest days. However, once she was weaned, our team began gentle, consistent handling to help her grow in confidence and trust. Over time, Perry learned that people could be kind. She became happy to be caught, groomed, have her feet trimmed, and even see the vet - all essential skills for a young horse learning to live a calm, healthy life.
Life on loan...
As Perry matured, she went out on loan twice, giving her valuable life experience living in different environments and helping her continue to develop her training and social skills. Each return to HorseWorld saw her more confident and well-adjusted than before - a testament to her gentle nature and the strong foundation of trust she’d built with her loaners.
Overcoming health challenges...
In 2022, after returning to HorseWorld, Perry’s journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) - a condition that affects how a horse’s body regulates insulin and weight. The illness led to a painful bout of Laminitis, and at one point, it was touch and go whether she would recover. Thanks to dedicated treatment, careful management, and a specialised diet, Perry slowly regained her strength.
Today, she is healthy and thriving, but she will always need to live on a track system during the spring, summer, and autumn months. These specialised living areas help control her grass intake and keep her comfortable and safe from future flare-ups. Her bravery and resilience throughout this challenging time are a true testament to her spirit — and to the expertise and care of the HorseWorld team.
The next chapter...
Once she was well enough, Perry began training to become a Discovery pony - joining a herd of special equines at HorseWorld who support young people through our Discovery equine-assisted learning programme. The Discovery team quickly saw that Perry’s calm, patient, and empathetic nature made her perfect for this role. Having faced her own challenges, she brings a quiet understanding to the young people she now works with, helping them build trust, confidence, and emotional resilience.
Perry today...
Now fully recovered and thriving, Perry is a valued member of the Discovery herd. Her transformation from a shy foal born to a traumatised mare into a gentle, kind, and trusting pony is a shining example of what compassion, patience, and expert care can achieve.
Through her work, Perry continues to touch the lives of children and young people, showing that healing is always possible, no matter how difficult the beginning.
