Aura's rescue...
In 2020, Aura was rescued as part of one of the largest equine welfare operations ever carried out in the UK. From a group of 130 neglected horses, HorseWorld took in five; Aura, Amos, Ava, Rumour and Taff, working alongside the RSPCA and other equine charities to bring them to safety. At first glance, Aura’s thick, fluffy winter coat disguised the true extent of her condition. But beneath it, she was skin and bone. Severely underweight and weak, her young body had been deprived of the nutrition she desperately needed. She was also suffering from a heavy worm burden and a lice infestation, clear signs of prolonged neglect. While she was physically weak, Aura also carried the emotional impact of her early experiences.
Building trust...
When Aura first arrived, she was incredibly nervous and difficult to catch. Estimated to be around two years old, she had clearly had very little positive handling experience. She was wary of humans and deeply unsure of our intentions. Even the smallest, kindest gestures such as a gentle scratch on her withers or a soft stroke on her nose, were overwhelming for her. It was evident she hadn’t learned that humans could be kind. Trust would have to be built from the very beginning.
Aura’s early days at HorseWorld were focused on giving her space. The team understood that before she could learn to trust people, she first needed time to simply be a youngster and settle into her new environment. Only once she had begun to relax in her surroundings did the team carefully introduce a gentle rehabilitation plan. The aim was not to rush her, but to slowly increase her positive handling experiences and help her grow in confidence around people. The team knew this would be a gradual process, and it was vital that Aura remained comfortable throughout. For a pony who found human contact so stressful, patience was everything.
A personality beginning to shine...
After a few weeks of consistent, compassionate handling, subtle changes began to appear. As her confidence grew, so did glimpses of her true personality - a sweet, affectionate and willing youngster who simply needed time to feel safe. The shy pony who once found a gentle touch overwhelming slowly began to accept contact, discovering that people could be kind and predictable. It was the beginning of a remarkable transformation built on patience, understanding and trust.
As her handling progressed, Aura was introduced to a structured rehabilitation programme. The team quickly recognised just how bright and responsive she was. She proved to be a fast learner, taking each new experience in her stride when given the time to process and understand it. With careful, confidence-led training, Aura was eventually backed. The once-frightened youngster was now ready to step into the next chapter of her life - not just physically recovered, but emotionally stronger too.
Finding the right home...
As Aura’s education progressed and her confidence continued to grow, the team began considering what her future might look like. With her kind nature, intelligence and willingness to learn, it was clear she had enormous potential. The next step would be finding a home that could continue building on the solid foundations she had developed encourage her to flourish. Aura was made available through the foster scheme at HorseWorld - a pathway designed to carefully match young equines with experienced, supportive families in the hopes they will gain vital life experience, before returning to HorseWorld to join the Discovery programme.
A perfect match...
That’s when Elizabeth Hembrow and her daughter Coco came to meet her. “I was looking for a pony for my daughter Coco and saw Aura on the HorseWorld website,” Elizabeth explains. “When we went to see her, we loved her attitude to work and her placid nature straight away. On our second visit, when I watched Coco ride Aura, it was written all over her face how happy she was.”
From those first rides, it was clear something special was forming. Aura’s steady temperament and growing confidence made her a reassuring partner, while Coco’s quiet determination and patience suited Aura perfectly.
Growing together...
Since moving into her foster home, Aura and Coco have formed a beautiful partnership and an unbreakable bond. For Coco, who lives with OCD and ADHD, time spent with Aura provides focus, comfort and a sense of calm. Together they have embraced every opportunity - joining The Pony Club, attending rallies, competing in dressage series, enjoying fun rides and galloping across the Mendips where they love to unwind with each other.
One of their proudest achievements was competing at the prestigious Royal Bath and West Show: “Going to The Royal Bath and West Show was a big step up,” Elizabeth says. “The atmosphere had such a buzz and I was nervous for them both. But every time I checked in with Coco, she reassured me that she trusts Aura 100% and believed she was the best pony there.” Aura rose to the occasion, proving just how far she had come. "She was incredible and I am so proud of them both. Aura has stolen our hearts. She is simply perfect and we couldn’t love her any more or imagine life without her.”
A forever home...
Aura has settled so well into family life that the team agreed it was in her best interest to remain with Elizabeth and Coco on a long-term loan. She continues to gain valuable experience in the outside world, growing in confidence with every outing, while enjoying the security of a loving home. From a frightened youngster who once found human touch overwhelming, to a trusted partner helping a young rider thrive, Aura’s journey is a powerful reminder of what patience, partnership and second chances can achieve.
Rehome a rescue horse or pony
When you rehome a rescue horse, you’re not just changing their life - you’re transforming yours. Each horse has so much to offer: love, loyalty, and a unique personality waiting to shine in the right home. By giving a horse a forever home, you also free up space at our rescue and rehabilitation site, allowing us to help even more horses in need.
Meet our horses available for rehoming