MEET THE RESCUED HORSES

I’m Lilly a Welsh Pony measuring 12hh. I was born in 2005. I was bought and rescued from a farm in October 2012, where I was mistreated and neglected. I had 4 foals in total before being homed at The Funny Farm.

When I first arrived at the Association, I was extremely malnourished and in a clear state of neglect. Most of my bones were visible and I was not a pretty sight! However, in this safe haven, I have been blessed with the right amount of food, love and attention and I’m slowly making progress. I’m a very loving and trusting pony and I love to be groomed. I’m cautious of new people so please approach me slowly as I’m easily scared.

I’m Ginglu a Welsh pony measuring 12hh. I was born in 2000. I was donated to The Funny Farm in September 2012 because my previous owners did not have enough time for me. I’m very strong and I can be cheeky and might try to bite you. However I have a playful character. I’m well settled at the Association and I love running around in the paddock or in the field. I’m known as the wild pony :)

I’m Sly a French Thoroughbred measuring 15hh. I was born in May 2005 and donated to The Funny Farm in September 2009 when I was just 4 years old. I was a young galloper but during my first race in Malta, I sustained a bad injury and dislocated my front pastern joint. My jockey tried to stop me but I continued racing and placed 2nd in that race. Unfortunately, this was the end of my racing career as I had to retire and nobody can ride me now because of this injury. My problem can be corrected with surgery, however, this is not available in Malta.

Luckily my racing owners did not put me down but passed me onto a young girl. She brought me to The Funny Farm until she sorted out a stable for me elsewhere. However, when she was informed that my injuries were worse than she thought and that I would be handicapped for life, she was very discouraged and never returned for me. I’m a very loving and trusting horse. I love human contact and I enjoy being petted and groomed. I can sometimes be quite a handful as I’m still young and full of energy. When I’m out in the paddock or field I enjoy bucking and rolling around.

I’m September Breeze a Welsh/ Irish pony. I was born in May 2012 and donated to The Funny Farm in September 2012 after I lost my mum at the tender age of 4 months. Due to this, I lost a lot of body condition and was extremely depressed. I had to learn to survive on my own at a very young age but I’ve proven to be a little fighter. I’m growing stronger as the days go by and I’ve made a number of new horse as well as human friends who have fallen in love with me.

I’m Giada an Irish Thoroughbred measuring 16hh. I was born in March 2005 and donated to The Funny Farm in August 2012. I arrived in Malta in 2011 and was used for flat racing. I was retired from racing due to an injury in one of my front fetlocks. I’ve gained weight and I’m slowly trusting people around me thanks to the dedication I found at The Funny Farm. Please approach me cautiously as I tend to be dominant so I might try to bite or kick.

I’m Klein a French Trotter measuring 17.2hh. I was born in March 1998 and I was rescued and donated to The Funny Farm in June 2012. I arrived in Malta in 2009 and was used for trotting racing. I was retired from racing due to an injury in one of my front fetlocks. I can be used for horse riding but will never be fit enough for racing again. Although I’m very big, I’m a very gentle horse with a loving character.

I’m Mario a French Trotter measuring 15.3hh. I was born in May 2000 and donated to The Funny Farm in May 2012 as my previous owner did not want to put me down. I arrived in Malta in 2010 and was used for trotting racing. I was retired from racing due to an injury in one of my front fetlocks. I can be used for horse riding but I will never be fit enough for racing again. I am a very gentle horse but you need a lot of patience with me as I am very timid and jittery even if you just try to pet me.

I’m Speedy a Swedish Warm Blood Trotter measuring 15.3hh. I was born in April 1994 and I was donated to The Funny Farm on 3rd May 2011 as my owner was unable to keep me. I arrived in Malta from Sweden in 1998 and was used for trotting racing. I have a very calm and gentle character and I’m used for horse riding.

I’m Crack an Argentinean Polo Pony measuring 14.2hh. I was donated to The Funny Farm in September 2010. I was retired from playing Polo and donated to the association, as my owner wanted me to have a good home. I have a calm and gentle nature. I love children and enjoy being groomed by them.

I’m Matt a Warm Blood Trotter (American bloodline but born in Sweden) measuring 17hh. I was born in 1992 and donated to The Funny Farm in February 2010. I arrived in Malta from Sweden in 2000 and was used for trotting racing. I was retired from racing and passed on to be used as a riding horse. I was then donated to The Funny Farm after my owner was unable to keep me due to lack of time. I still show slight signs of having past tendon injuries, however, I have recovered well enough to be used for horse riding. As big as I may seem to be, I have a very quiet character and love the attention I get from people.

I’m Moody measuring 14.1hh. I was born in 1999 and rescued by The Funny Farm in July 2007. I was rescued after the local police Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) section raided a farm rescuing a number of animals from their pitiful state, despite the owner's protests. I was one of four horses rescued. My abnormally large belly suggests that I was used very often as a broodmare. I had a traumatised past. My old battle scars suggest that I was badly beaten at a point in my life. I let out a fearful warning scream if someone moves next to me as I’m very fearful and I might try to bite you. However, I do trust some volunteers to groom and walk me. I might trust you too but you need to be very patient with me.

I’m Suitable a Swedish Warm Blood Trotter measuring 16hh. I was born in May 1988. I was donated to The Funny Farm in November 2006 as my owner did not want to put me down as I am a well known winner. I arrived in Malta from Sweden in 1996 and was used for trotting racing. I am a very gentle horse and I’m sometimes used for horse riding. I love running around in the field.

I’m Quick a Warm Blood Trotter (American bloodline but born in Sweden), measuring 16.3hh. I was born in May 1993 and I was donated to The Funny Farm in 2004. I arrived in Malta from Sweden in 1999 and was used for trotting racing. I was retired from my racing career and given to a home (along with my friend Trocadero) to be cared for as a pet. In October 2004, my original racing owners went to visit me. They were shocked at how my condition had deteriorated and took me to The Funny Farm.

After about 3 months of proper feeding and regular exercise, I was back to looking much healthier but did not fill out completely. The Funny Farm paid for my health checks and blood tests and they discovered that I have a very weak liver, possibly due to misuse of steroids whilst racing. Therefore, it is very difficult for me to put weight and muscle on, even though I am fed and cared for properly. It is also a problem if I need medication as my liver will never be able to handle the full dose. I love the company of my horsey friends especially my best friend Lottie. I’m a very calm horse and love the attention I get from people.

I’m Lottie a Dutch Warm Blood measuring 16.1hh. I was born in 1994. I was rescued by The Funny Farm from slaughter in 1999. I’m retired due to a problem in one of my front shoulders which causes me to limp once I start exercising. I’m living the easy life at The Funny Farm with my horsey friends. I especially enjoy eating apples and will try to eat Quick’s share too! I’m calm and have a gentle nature. I really enjoy the attention I get from people.

I’m Strega measuring 15.3hh and I was born in 1998. I was retired from playing Polo and donated to The Funny Farm in 2006. I’m used for horse riding lessons. My only defect is my front legs. Due to careless shoeing, my legs from the knee downwards have been caused to grow bent thus causing me to suffer from ‘pigeon toes’. If my hooves are not seen to regularly, this problem causes me to stumble. However, I don’t have to worry as The Funny Farm pays the farrier to check my hooves regularly.

I’m Sandy a Haflinger measuring 15hh. I was born in May 1997. I was donated to The Funny Farm in 2001. When I was 2 and a half years old, after already being used for polo, I was purchased as a present for a young girl, by her parents, thinking that the girl and myself will grow up together. However, my breed of Haflingers are originally from Austria and are used for dragging felled trees out of the forest, so we are strong, stocky horses. Even though us Haflingers are normally quiet and great for people to learn how to horse ride on, I have a playful character and can be quite a handful when I am ridden.

I’m Promise an Arab measuring 14.3hh. I was born in 1996 and rescued by The Funny Farm in September 2001 where they found me at the slaughter house. When I was rescued I was perfectly healthy with no past injuries. After a couple of months, the volunteers noticed I was growing quite fat. After an examination by the vet, he gave us the very exciting news that I was pregnant. I feel very grateful to The Funny Farm for saving my life and that of my unborn foal all those years ago. I gave birth to my daughter Pippa in 2002 and we are both well looked after here.

I’m Pippa an Arab-cross measuring 14hh. I was born at

The Funny Farm in June 2002 under the protective eye

of the volunteers. I’m a very trusting horse, knowing no

evil or abuse. I love people and running around showing

off my beauty. I’m used for horse riding. I’m so thankful

to The Funny Farm for saving my mum from being

slaughtered when she has pregnant with me. I really

enjoy spending my days in the paddock with my mum.

I’m Trocadero a Swedish Warm Blood Trotter measuring 15.3hh. I was born in June 1991 and was donated to The Funny Farm in September 2009. I arrived in Malta from Sweden in 1997 and was used for trotting racing. Once I completed my racing career, I was re-homed where I lived a good 7 years on a farm. However, in September 2009, my racing owners went to visit me and were not happy with the condition they found me in so they sent me to The Funny Farm. I’m a stallion and like to tease the other horses. I also enjoy the attention I get from people.

I’m Pilgrim a Swedish Warm Blood Trotter measuring 16.2hh. I was born in July 1995. The Funny Farm rescued me in February 2006. I arrived in Malta from Sweden in 2005 and was used for trotting racing. I was raced as soon as I arrived here, without time to accustom to the changes in weather, food, new stables etc. Obviously, I did not do as well as I could have. My owner, after several attempts at improving me with the use of drugs, decided I was useless and gave up on me, so I was sentenced to death. My owner told the butcher that I HAD to be killed and that I was not to be sold onto anyone else just in case they succeed in winning races with me. Most of my tail had been cut off to be used in a Christmas crib, since I was due to be killed they reasoned that I didn’t need my tail. The Funny Farm saved my life as they promised my owner that I will never be used for racing.