Hicca is a 9-year old Bodmin Hill Pony. He was brought here from Bodmin Moor in 2016. Yet another victim of the terrible overcrowding there. Not having enough grass often results in fierce fights between stallions and, eventually, starvation for some ponies. Hicca was feral when he first arrived and everyone made him nervous. In October last year, however, we noticed something was troubling Hicca. He was struggling with his back end and finding it hard to get around. We kept an eye on it and, over time, it became worse, Hicca had severe arthritis in his left hind hock. We think it was caused by an injury he picked up on the moor. Perhaps he had been kicked by another horse in the overcrowded conditions. 

Due to his crippling arthritis, Hicca will never be rehomed and will always stay at Honeysuckle surrounded by those who love him. He lives out in the evening and spends his day in the stables. The upsetting truth is that, unfortunately, Hicca’s arthritis is only going to get worse and the day will come when the painkillers no longer work. This means that there may soon come a time when we have to make a very difficult decision about his future. Isn’t that heartbreaking? 

Hicca is just one of the many horses and ponies who arrive here in desperate need of love, care and a better life. Whether they are casualties of neglect, fly grazing horses that have been abandoned, or a pony given to us by an owner who can no longer cope. Wherever they come from, it’s a huge challenge for us here at the Sanctuary but we do our best to care for them all.  Your donation could help horses and ponies like Hicca start their new life, safe here at the Sanctuary.