A horse who was dumped in a pensioner’s back garden is now ready to go to a new home.
The one-year-old colt, named Mr Melvin Andrews, was discovered in an grandmother’s small garden in Stoke-on-Trent after her 13-year-old granddaughter ‘adopted’ him.
She had read online that the horse would be put down if not rehomed, so shared her Nan’s address on Facebook without her knowledge.
The skinny horse was abandoned back in April but has now been nursed back to health at the World Horse Welfare farm in Lancashire after originally being handed over to the RSPCA.
Little Melvin is now looking for a home where he can be loved and cared for after making a full recovery at the centre.
A spokesperson for the charity said: ‘Melvin is now ready to find a new home on our Rehoming Scheme after undergoing his rehabilitation.
‘He was quite underweight when he arrived in our care and has put on around 100kg in the six months since being rescued.
‘He’s only a year old so we have been building up his training and education ready to find a new home.
‘He’s quite small and is unlikely to grow big enough to be a ridden pony but would make a lovely companion and would enjoy doing in-hand horse agility.
‘He is a friendly and cheeky chap so would benefit being in a home where he will receive regular handling, with an experienced rehomer.’
The charity released picture of the pony surrounded by garden furniture, wheelie bins and a rabbit hutch after he was discovered by the gran.
RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin arrived at the home to find the neglected animal, underweight and malnourished, but an investigation was unable to find Melvin’s previous owner.
Speaking at the time, Charlotte said: ‘We’re seeing sick or young ponies being dumped and abandoned when their owners no longer want them, and it would be a worry if online free ad sites are being used in this way.
‘Many provide advice on the commitment required to take on a horse.
‘Every horse and pony deserves responsible ownership, which includes responsible breeding, selling and rehoming.
”A 13-year-old girl responded to a plea on an online free ads site where a lady said she didn’t want the pony anymore and that he would be put to sleep if no one had him.
‘She gave her Nan’s address and the next thing that happened was a man just came along and dumped the pony there, no words of advice or anything like that – and leaving a very shocked Nan.
‘We don’t know where this poor pony came from but he clearly was not treated well before being abandoned.’