It’s time we introduced Spotty

This rising star now has a bright future as part of the team, but it wasn’t always the case.

Some of the horses who join the team are donated by kind owners who can no longer keep them, or are rescued when their lives take a sad turn and they lose their homes. Anyone reading who has adopted a dog or cat from a rescue centre will be familiar with uncovering quirky or nervous behaviour resulting from past traumas. It takes a while to really get to know a horse too.

Just as every dog, cat or human has a distinct personality and skills, so too do horses. It takes very special qualities to join our team, and any new arrival is put through intensive but gentle training. Inevitably, not all of them make the grade. But if they don’t, we take care to match them to a perfect home.

This is Spotty’s story. In July 2022, Natalie had a phone call from a vet who’d been asked to euthanise a healthy young horse because he was no longer wanted. The vet wasn’t happy to do this without giving this gentle pony another chance, and called Natalie to see if she could help.

Spotty came from a very quiet home, so the bustling life of Park Lane Stables was a bit of a shock, but it was obvious from the start that he was gentle and kind. Even more obvious was that he just loved people. Since last July he’s gone from strength to strength, proving to be brilliantly calm for equine therapy and for interacting on the ground with humans of all shapes, sizes and abilities.

There are hints of hidden talents too. When he’s ridden there are clear signs that he has another gear he’d love to share with his rider. Natalie says: “When I ride him I feel as though I’m 13 all over again!”

Welcome to the team, Spotty, you’ve definitely made the grade!

Find out about adopting Spotty

You’ll find Spotty and the rest of the special team of Park Lane Stables horses and humans on our About page