Above: Jewels (left) and Ariel (right) are now looking at a much brighter future

...Ready for First Public Appearance

Mother-and-daughter pair Ariel and Jewels are recovering well after being rescued from severe neglect and will meet supporters for the first time at HorseWorld's annual Horse Fest Open Day on Saturday 25 July.

HorseWorld can now reveal the identities of two Shetland ponies whose shocking condition featured in the charity's recent Spring Appeal while they were part of an active investigation.

Ariel and her daughter, Jewels, arrived at HorseWorld in January after concerns about their welfare were reported to the RSPCA.

The pair were suffering from severely overgrown hooves, making walking almost impossible. X-rays revealed both ponies had chronic laminitis, with significant rotation of the pedal bone in all four feet. The damage had developed over a prolonged period and was causing extreme pain.

HorseWorld's Equine Welfare Advisor, Meg Challinor, was among the team that responded to the emergency call.

"When the call and initial photos came in from the RSPCA, I knew we had to act fast. Within 40 minutes we were onsite with the emergency vet. I knew immediately they had been suffering for a long time.

"Their hooves had grown so badly that the bones inside their feet had shifted. Their joints had begun to collapse. Every single step they took was clearly absolutely agonising. They needed to be removed immediately."

Both ponies were also underweight, while young Jewels had a deep indentation around her face where a headcollar had been left on for an extended period.

Upon arrival at HorseWorld, the charity's welfare, veterinary and farrier teams carried out urgent assessments to determine whether recovery was possible and what treatment would be required. Despite the severity of their condition, the ponies quickly revealed bright, curious personalities and a strong will to recover.

Today, Ariel and Jewels are making excellent progress thanks to ongoing specialist veterinary care, expert farriery, careful management and round-the-clock support from HorseWorld's welfare team.

The pair are now looking forward to a future that once seemed impossible and will be among the horses and ponies meeting visitors at HorseWorld's annual Horse Fest Open Day on Saturday 25 July.

The event offers a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at the charity, meet rescued horses and ponies, enjoy demonstrations and activities, and learn more about HorseWorld's work protecting vulnerable equines across the South West.

While Ariel and Jewels' story has a happy ending, HorseWorld warns that they are far from an isolated case.

The charity continues to receive increasing numbers of calls about horses and ponies in crisis, at a time when the cost of veterinary treatment, transport, farriery and essential care continues to rise. Responding quickly to welfare emergencies often determines whether a horse can recover.

"Ariel and Jewels are just two of many horses who urgently need help each year," said Meg. "Cases like theirs remind us why it is so important that we can act immediately when concerns are reported. Every horse deserves the chance of a safe, healthy future."

Horse Fest takes place at HorseWorld's Bristol site on Saturday 25 July. Tickets and event information are available at www.horseworld.org.uk/events.

Above: Ariel on arrival at HorseWorld.

Below: The ponies hooves were so overgrown, they were almost unrecognisable.

Below: X-rays of their hooves showed how bad the damage was. The dotted line is where a healthy hoof shape should be.  

Below: Now happy and healthy, the pair are ready to meet the supporters who helped save them.