The proprietor of a 16-year-old pony who was stolen final summer season stated it feels “unreal” to be reunited, eight months later.

Miniature Shetland mare Maisey disappeared from her discipline in Fortress Combe, close to Chippenham, Wiltshire, on 12 July. Maisey’s proprietor Allison Wooden discovered “scrabble” marks, footprints and tyre tracks, and believed somebody had taken Maisey away in a van.

A poster with Maisey’s image was shared hundreds of instances on social media however she was not discovered, till final week when Avon & Somerset Police acquired a name from a member of the general public a couple of group of horses close to the M5 in Avonmouth, Bristol.

The RSPCA attended the scene, and requested HorseWorld for help with “one specific pony in very poor situation”.

“We had been requested if we might gather a severely underweight Shetland pony who had been deserted,” stated HorseWorld head of welfare Sarah Hollister.

“We had been already at capability, with different rescues having been taken in only a few days earlier than, however we knew we had to assist.”

A HorseWorld spokesman added that Maisey was in a “surprising state”.

“Her winter coat was very fluffy however with additional inspection, it was clear the mare was severely malnourished and emaciated, coated in lice and could possibly be pregnant,” he stated.

“The RSPCA organized for an equine vet to attend the location to look at Maisey previous to being transported to make sure she was match to journey. The horse was rushed to the security of HorseWorld the place she was fastidiously settled into their emergency care unit and given the instant lifesaving remedy by the equine welfare and veterinary workforce.”

When RSPCA inspector Dan Hatfield processed the information from Maisey’s microchip, it was found that she had been reported as stolen.

“Maisey has fairly distinctive markings and as I used to be trying over pictures of the rescue, they triggered a reminiscence of one thing I had seen on social media,” stated HorseWorld chief government Petra Ingram.

“With a bit of extra delving it rapidly transpired that HorseWorld had shared a Fb put up about Maisey’s theft in July 2023. We instantly telephoned colleagues on the RSPCA and shared the wonderful information that we believed we had recognized not solely the horse, however the place she had initially come from too.”

Maisey was reunited with Allison on Wednesday (6 March).

“It feels unreal to have Maisey dwelling. When Dan phoned I simply burst out crying; I didn’t say something. I’ve had individuals within the village crying after I’ve instructed them,” she stated.

“Holly, her fieldmate, will likely be over the moon. However with out the microchip, and the wonderful work of everybody concerned, we’d have by no means bought her again.”

Mr Hatfield stated it’s “completely great to be a part of bringing Maisey again dwelling so many months after she was stolen”.

“Once we rescued her in such a sorry state final week, we had no concept that she would become a much-loved, lacking pet,” he stated.

“It is a incredible instance of how very important it’s that we microchip our pets – with out this, Maisey might by no means have discovered her means again dwelling to her house owners, and I’m so completely happy to witness them being reunited at present. It was a particular second for us all.”

PC Jess Swanborough of Chippenham Neighbourhood Policing Staff was there when Maisey was returned to Allison.

“It was so pretty to see Maisey come dwelling and her proprietor was completely delighted to have her again safely,” she stated.

“We’re extraordinarily grateful to the member of the general public who reported their issues to Avon and Somerset Police. We’re so happy this case has had a cheerful ending – it exhibits the significance of chipping your animals so if something like this does occur, the probabilities of the animal being situated and returned safely are a lot larger.”

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call only a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fortress Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting workforce for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.