Abandoned and all alone...
In January 2025, a mare with a foal at foot were found abandoned on a plot of land in Kent that was being used to dump unwanted horses. The overwhelmed landowner found himself surrounded by far too many horses and desperately needed help. Among the neglected herd was Belle, a young mare who was painfully thin and clearly exhausted from trying to care for her foal, Taco, while also carrying another unborn foal. To make matters worse, she was sharing the space with three stallions, putting her at high risk of further pregnancies and injury.
The RSPCA were called to assist and, with so many equine rescues already at full capacity, they reached out to several organisations for help. Working together with our friends at World Horse Welfare (WHW) and the Blue Cross, HorseWorld was able to step in and offer Belle and Taco the safe haven they so desperately needed.
The road to recovery...
When Taco and Belle arrived at HorseWorld, it was clear they hadn’t experienced much kindness or handling from people. They were frightened, underweight, and wary of human contact. Our welfare team gave them space, patience, and gentle reassurance, along with the specialist feed and veterinary attention they needed to begin their recovery.
Despite her fragile condition, Belle showed incredible courage. Slowly but surely, she began to trust the people around her. A huge milestone came when she finally accepted a headcollar for the first time - a small but deeply meaningful step in her journey to healing.
Taco's next chapter...
As Belle prepared to give birth to her second foal, Taco was gently weaned and began spending time with other young ponies of a similar age at HorseWorld. This was a big step for him, but he has thrived with his new friends and learned so much along the way.
Taco is now confidently exploring life at HorseWorld by meeting the farrier, learning about grooming, wearing his headcollar, and taking his first lessons in leading. He’s growing into a curious, friendly, and playful youngster, full of personality and promise for the future.
A new arrival...
In May, Belle safely gave birth to a healthy colt who we named Nacho! Despite her difficult past, she has been a devoted and gentle mother. Both Taco and Nacho are thriving, and Belle is showing what a remarkable, resilient mare she truly is.
From being frightened and malnourished to becoming the proud mum of two healthy foals, Belle’s transformation has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s hard to imagine that just months ago, this little family was abandoned and struggling to survive. Today, they are safe, loved, and surrounded by people who will always be there for them.
A lifetime of safety and love...
Thanks to your ongoing support, Belle, Taco, and Nacho will live out their lives in safety and care at HorseWorld. Ponies like these can live well into their thirties, and we are proud to promise them a secure future for all the years ahead.
By rescuing two ponies, we’ve saved the lives of three, and given this beautiful little family a new beginning. Taco and Nacho continue to grow and mature, while Belle is given the love and attention she has always deserved. We can't wait to see what's in store for them as they progress with their training and handling.
