From Landfill to Loving Home: Stig’s Incredible Journey
Some of you may remember the story of a pony found abandoned on a landfill site in Gainsborough, our first rescue of 2022. The young piebald cob was aptly named Stig, from the children’s book ‘Stig of the Dump’ and with no traceable owner, he was taken into the care of Bransby Horses.
Nine months later, Stig was preparing for life in his new home with fosterer Victoria, who loved him from the moment they met. “I feel so lucky to be able to give him a new start where he will be pampered and loved forever.”
Two years on and ‘Stiggy’ or ‘Stiggy the tank’, as Victoria fondly calls him, is simply part of the family. He was a quiet pony when they were first introduced, but it didn’t take long for Stig to truly settle in.
“He was so quiet when I went to meet him, it was like we were on a date and then we got married and I saw the real him. And he has got such a personality.”
Explained his fosterer. “He just wants to know what’s going on, he’s not scared of anything. And he’s just the nicest pony, such a sweetheart.”
A Growing Herd: How Stig Gained a New Friend
While Victoria was talking, Stig was trying to chew on his lead rope, a characteristic that dates back to his initial rescue, when handlers gave him a lead rope to carry to keep him entertained.
One aspect of fostering Stig that proved challenging, was managing the weight of both him and companion Cyril, as the two
equines have vastly different nutritional needs. But Victoria had a solution to this.
“So, my brilliant idea, which I raised with my husband and he instantly said no and yet still Padus is here, was get another [pony] with the same nutritional needs as [Stig].”
She saw Padus’ advert on the Bransby Horses website, put in her application and was soon welcoming another addition to the herd.
Forever Safe and Loved: Stig Finds His True Home
Stig’s life has changed drastically since his rescue and whilst he’s ‘forever safe’ under the ownership of Bransby Horses, his true home is with Victoria.
“The support we’ve had since we’ve had him from Bransby has been amazing, so I think if anyone is ever unsure about whether to rehome or not, do it. There’s no question. He’s got a home for life.”
