An animal-loving Shropshire family has given two malnourished ponies a new lease of life after making a home for them near to the Long Mynd.

See also: Ponies find good home in county

Gypsy and Lottie were among a group of 18 half-wild ponies living on open moors in Lancashire.

The animals were found three years ago when, in an adjacent field, seven other ponies had died.

Judith Haw, spokeswoman for the RSPCA, said the charity worked with a horse rescue organisation and equine enthusiasts to save the ponies.

She said: “It was no easy task herding the nervous animals into transporters as they were not used to being handled. They were kicking out in fear despite their weakened state.”

Foals

Mrs Haw said the owner of the ponies was prosecuted by the RSPCA and received a custodial sentence plus a lifetime ban on keeping any animals. Meanwhile, the long road to recovery for the ponies began.

Mrs Haw said they were constantly monitored for six months and during that time Lottie and three other mares had foals. They were then transferred to the RSPCA’s Felledge Equine Centre, in Durham.

Mrs Haw added: “In November 2005, the Williams family from All Stretton offered Gypsy and Lottie a new home.

“They now enjoy a life where they canter on the Long Mynd, trot, and jump at pony club and have colour co-ordinated horse accessories – Gypsy is pink while Lottie is purple.”

Martin Williams said the ponies had been a hit with his daughters Emily and Harriet.

He said: “As a family we cannot imagine life without the ponies.

“My daughters Emily and Harriet were complete novices with ponies, now they go to pony club and ride the horses in the countryside. Gypsy and Lottie love cuddles and fuss and they receive plenty of attention from the girls.”

Lisa Paulin, deputy manager at Felledge, said: “It is fantastic to hear about the happy life they now have in Shropshire as two much-loved ponies.”