A teenager from Co Cork has given a horse that was left abandoned and collapsed on the side of a road a second chance at happiness, and horse show success.
Orianna Wood, 13, first met Woody through the charity My Lovely Horse Rescue and knew immediately that he was the horse for her: "He had the kindest eyes, the kindest face and the quietest nature," she said.
What she did not see coming, however, was his transformation into a prizewinning pony. The pair competed at the Cork Summer Show earlier this month and were awarded a second-place rosette.
"I didn't expect that to happen, he was really excited too," Orianna recalled. "It's a great achievement to go from him almost dying on the road to him now going to a show and coming second.
"He was so thin, he wasn’t looked after at all, he had no muscle, so to build that up to where he is now is incredible."
Kelly Mellerick is a volunteer at My Lovely Horse Rescue and was involved with Woody's rehabilitation. She says it "means everything" to see him doing so well now.
"It’s really obvious the connection he has formed with Orianna, he follows her around, he rests his head on her shoulders, he gives her kisses. He’s a very, very happy horse now," Ms Mellerick said.
"When we had our re-feeding programme and vet work to do, our thoughts were a million miles away from where we are today."
Orianna says she and Woody "just clicked".
"He has gained trust now. That did take a while after how he was treated, but once you build trust with any animal it’s so special."
Though Woody’s story has had a happy ending, Ms Mellerick says the rescue centre is "really up against it".
Earlier this month, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that more pets are being abandoned, abused or neglected than ever before.
My Lovely Horse Rescue is not only helping horses - its dog team is also under pressure.
"We've had several new cases in the last few weeks, animals in poor condition, they’re emaciated, they are needing vet work, there are lots of dogs, our dog teams are stressed and stretched," Ms Mellerick said, adding that they rely on public support and vet bills are a particular strain on funding.
"With the horses, what we’re seeing is, there’s a lot of urban horses, there are big problems with city horses. Kids are buying them for as little as the price of a pack of cigarettes and they have no concept of the care needed or the cost involved so that’s where the neglect is then.
"We would say to anybody considering getting a horse or pony - they need special care, they need to be on equine premises, have shelter, regular vet work, routine worming, farrier care, dentistry care. It’s not as simple as putting them on a green with grass to eat."
