Abandoned and alone...
Just before Christmas in 2021, a heartbreaking discovery was made beside a busy main road. Seven very young ponies were found abandoned on a strip of wasteland, left like rubbish in a dangerous and exposed area. All of them were far too young to be without their mothers — some just one or two months old, the oldest no more than three or four months. Helpless, starving and terrified, the foals had been left to fend for themselves with traffic rushing past.
The RSPCA stepped in to collect and board the group, and HorseWorld was asked to help by taking in the three strongest colts. With HorseWorld more than two hours away, there were serious concerns that the weakest and youngest ponies would not survive the journey. The three boys who safely made it to HorseWorld were later named Spud, Parsnip and Sprout — affectionately known as the “Veg Boys”, a nod to the Christmas timing of their rescue.
A fragile start...
When they arrived at HorseWorld, it was immediately clear just how badly their early suffering had affected them. Torn away from their mothers far too soon, all three were extremely underweight and weak, having missed out on vital nutrition during critical stages of growth. They suffered from painful locking stifles, a condition affecting their hind legs and believed to be caused by severe malnutrition. Parsnip and Spud were the worst affected, struggling to move comfortably and lacking strength.
Emotionally, the boys were just as fragile. All three were absolutely terrified of people, so fearful that staff were unable to fully assess their physical condition for some time. Every interaction had to be taken slowly and gently, allowing trust to build at their pace. Even food was unfamiliar — they had to learn what grass, hay and hard feed were, with each new element carefully introduced to support their recovery.
From survival to strength...
With expert veterinary care, carefully balanced nutrition and endless patience from the HorseWorld team, the transformation slowly began. As their bodies strengthened, their confidence grew alongside it. The painful locking stifles that once limited their movement gradually resolved, weight was steadily gained and, for the first time, the boys began to move freely and comfortably. Just as importantly, they started to understand that people no longer posed a threat, but were a source of safety, reassurance and care.
As they grew stronger, their individual personalities began to shine through. Spud quickly earned a reputation as the cheekiest of the trio, full of curiosity and mischief, while Parsnip and Sprout showed themselves to be gentle, thoughtful youngsters who took comfort from routine and companionship. In time, all three were able to be carefully integrated into herds, learning vital social skills from other ponies and enjoying the simple freedom of being part of a group — something they had been cruelly denied as babies.
A bright future...
Today, Spud, Parsnip and Sprout are unrecognisable from the terrified foals once found abandoned by the roadside. All three have made a full recovery and are now fit, well and thriving. Parsnip and Sprout have been settled in a foster home since 2024, where they are continuing their training, education and maturation in a supportive home environment. Spud, meanwhile, remains at HorseWorld, where he is undertaking further training to help him reach his full potential.
All three boys show great promise for HorseWorld’s life-changing Discovery programme. With their gentle natures, growing confidence and positive experiences with people, they could one day play a vital role in helping vulnerable young people in and around Bristol reach their potential through equine-assisted therapy.
