Small pony that was so sick it couldn’t stand now thriving

By Charlie Fenton

A small pony found dying and so sick it couldn't stand is now thriving after being taken in by an animal charity.

Pickle - a one-year-old Shetland Pony who stands just 28 inches tall - was found critically ill at a site in the West Midlands in March last year, after a welfare concern was reported to World Horse Welfare.

The then tiny nine-month-old foal was so weak he wasn't able to stand and was struggling to breath leaving him needing urgent veterinary care.

Tests revealed he was suffering from several diseases, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, which if left untreated could prove fatal.

But now Pickle has been nursed back to full health and is winning the hearts of visitors at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where he is living until he is ready to find a home of his own.

Charlotte Melvin, 36, World Horse Welfare Field Officer, said: “As soon as I saw Pickle, I could tell he needed veterinary care urgently – he was really struggling to breathe.

When he tried to stand as I walked up to him, he just couldn’t get up.

“He tested positive for multiple illnesses, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, and was so weak that he kept collapsing.

“The team worked so hard to nurse him back to health and his vet said she’s never known a pony to test positive for salmonella as many times as he did.

"He very nearly didn’t make it, but eventually turned a corner and started to recover."

Following a multi-agency response Pickle was rescued from the site, along with a number of other horses.

According to staff, when he was found he was so small that one person was able to carry him to the horsebox on their own.

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Pickle was then taken for 'immediate and intensive' treatment at a private holding yard, where he was nursed back to health.

According to World Horse Welfare Pickle’s size worked in his favour enabling those caring for him to get him back on his feet more easily.

When he was well enough in December 2025, he was then transported to Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool, Lancashire, as it was the closest centre which had space for him.

After completing a two week quarantine period, Pickle - who weighs 52 kg - was able to join the other horses and ponies on the main yard at Penny Farm - and immediately started winning hearts left, right and centre.

Charlotte said: “Hearing that he’d been signed over and was finally well enough to travel to our Penny Farm was amazing.

“I went and collected him with one of my colleagues and it was just incredible to see how bright he’d become.

"The contrast from that tiny foal who was too weak to stand and could barely breathe was extraordinary.”

Adam Cummins, 43, Penny Farm Centre Manager, said: “At a year old, Pickle is still only a teeny seven hands high (28 inches) so it’s no surprise that our visitors fall in love with him as soon as they set eyes on him.

"He’s both extremely cute and a really lovely character.

“There’s going to be a long list of people wanting to rehome him when he’s ready – but that’s a long way off yet.

"For now, he’s enjoying being a happy young pony playing with his friends – he’s got a lot of fun to catch up on after being so ill at such a young age.”

Pickle has since made a best friend in his stablemate, a pony named Cheddar, who he enjoys grazing and playing in the field with.

The now happy foal also 'loves a fuss' and enjoys meeting visitors to Penny Farm.

Pickle is so tiny that the Penny Farm team struggled to find a headcollar small enough for him – but World Horse Welfare’s corporate partners LeMieux kindly stepped in, supplying him with a 'super mini' headcollar.

Staff at the farm have said Pickle will be available for rehoming once he’s completed his rehabilitation, which will be later this year.