Swipe right on rescue: Ponies seek perfect match this Valentine’s

A South West equine welfare charity is marking Valentine’s Day by launching a series of “dating profiles” for rescued horses and ponies looking for a new companion.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is inviting prospective carers to browse profiles of real ponies through its Sanctuary at Home rehoming scheme, encouraging people to find their “perfect match” this February.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the charity has taken inspiration from online dating, asking supporters whether they will be “swiping left or right” as they read about each pony’s personality, needs and ideal home.

From gentle golden oldies suited to retirement companionship to confident characters who thrive in the middle of a herd, the profiles have been written by staff who know the animals best.

The aim is to show that rehoming a rescued pony on loan can be as rewarding as buying a horse, while offering a life-changing opportunity for equines in need.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is currently at full capacity and hopes to rehome more non-ridden ponies as companions this year. Each pony successfully placed in a loan home frees up space and resources for the charity to rescue another horse or pony in urgent need.

Jenna Goldby, the Sanctuary’s Head of Welfare and Rehoming, said: “Finding the right pony is a lot like finding the right partner because it’s all about chemistry. We work really hard to understand our ponies as individuals so we can match them with people who can offer the right environment, time and care.

"We want this to be a relationship that brings mutual joy, connection and companionship. As herd animals, equines need company to feel safe and secure. A good companion pony can transform the life of another horse and, just as importantly, they can have a huge positive impact on the people who care for them.”

Research into the human–animal bond suggests regular interaction with animals can reduce stress, improve mood and support mental wellbeing. Studies of horse and pony owners have reported lower feelings of loneliness, increased physical activity and a stronger sense of routine. Many owners say that spending quiet time grooming, leading or simply being alongside a pony helps them feel calmer and more connected.

Jenna added: “Our carers often tell us that their loan pony becomes their best friend. The ponies offer gentle, non-judgemental companionship, and that can make a real difference to wellbeing. At the same time, those carers are directly helping us to rescue and rehabilitate more horses and ponies in serious welfare situations. It really is a love story on both sides.”

Under the Sanctuary at Home scheme, rescued ponies live with knowledgeable carers but remain under the lifelong guardianship of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary. Carers provide daily care, routine exercise and companionship, while the charity oversees long-term welfare.

Jenna said: “As a charity, we make sure every pony has a full veterinary and behavioural assessment, and we’re always honest and transparent about the pony a carer is loaning. Our team carefully matches the right pony with the right carer and home to give the best chance of a lifelong partnership, and we provide ongoing training, support and guidance, with someone on call 24/7 in an emergency. We want people to see our ponies as the amazing individuals they are and to offer them a loving, lifelong home, feeling genuinely privileged to care for them.”

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary cares for almost 600 horses and ponies across the South West. It rescues animals that have been abandoned, neglected or abused and provides sanctuary for life, either at its sites in Newton Abbot, Totnes, Yelverton and Holsworthy or through its network of carers.

The charity, which relies entirely on donations and legacy gifts, is a member of the Human Equine Interaction Register UK and collaborates nationally with other welfare organisations.

To browse the ponies’ dating profiles and find out more about the Sanctuary at Home scheme, visit www.mareandfoal.org .