Magic
Rescued: May 16, 2009

Magic was suffering appalling neglect and facing death at the hands of a local butcher when we found her. Kept in a tiny pen with two other miniature ponies and fed on scraps of stale bread and rotting vegetables, Magic was used as a toy by the butcher’s grandchildren while she was being fattened up for meat.

Her hooves had been left uncut and had grown in an upward curl so that they looked like Dutch clogs. She and the other two ponies were such a shocking sight that we were inundated by calls from horrified members of the public.

Despite the dreadful state of Magic and the other two ponies, Princess and Angel, the butcher refused to admit there was anything wrong. He would not part with the horses because, he said, his grandchildren loved them. Eventually, after being worried by a visit from the local Guardia, he agreed we could take the horses – for 550 euros. We paid because it was the only way to end their suffering and save their lives.

Magic quickly recovered from her ordeal and has settled in well at the Centre. She will always walk with a limp, but is otherwise healthy and happy.

Sadly, the eldest pony, Angel, died a short time later. The third miniature, Princess, remained with us at the Centre for 17 months, but due to her injuries being too severe, she tragically had to be put to sleep on 19 October 2010.