A tiny pony that was too weak to stand and struggling to breathe is now winning over visitors after a rescue that nearly came too late.
Pickle, a one-year-old U.K. Pony standing 28 inches tall, was found critically ill at a site in the West Midlands in March last year after a welfare concern was reported to World Horse Welfare.
The then nine-month-old foal was so weak he could not stand and needed urgent veterinary care. Tests showed he was suffering from several diseases, including strangles, equine flu and salmonella, which World Horse Welfare said could have proved fatal if left untreated.
Charlotte Melvin, 36, a World Horse Welfare Field Officer, said, “As soon as I saw Pickle, I could tell he needed veterinary care urgently – he was really struggling to breathe. When he tried to stand as I walked up to him, he just couldn’t get up.”
“He tested positive for multiple illnesses, including strangles, equine flu, and salmonella, and was so weak that he kept collapsing. The team worked so hard to nurse him back to health and his vet said she’s never known a pony to test positive for salmonella as many times as he did.
“He very nearly didn’t make it, but eventually turned a corner and started to recover.”
Following what was described as a multi-agency response, Pickle was rescued from the site along with a number of other horses.
Staff said he was so small when he was found that one person was able to carry him to the horsebox alone.
He was then taken to a private holding yard for what World Horse Welfare described as immediate and intensive treatment. The charity said his small size worked in his favour because it made it easier for those caring for him to get him back on his feet.
Once he was well enough in December 2025, Pickle was transported to Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool, Lancashire, because it was the closest centre with space for him.
After completing a two-week quarantine period, Pickle, who weighs 52 kilograms, joined the other horses and ponies on the main yard at Penny Farm.
Charlotte said, “Hearing that he’d been signed over and was finally well enough to travel to our Penny Farm was amazing. I went and collected him with one of my colleagues and it was just incredible to see how bright he’d become.”
“The contrast from that tiny foal who was too weak to stand and could barely breathe was extraordinary.”
Pickle is now living at Penny Farm until he is ready to find a home of his own.
Adam Cummins, 43, Penny Farm Centre Manager, said, “At a year old, Pickle is still only a teeny seven hands high (28 inches) so it’s no surprise that our visitors fall in love with him as soon as they set eyes on him. He’s both extremely cute and a really lovely character.”
“There’s going to be a long list of people wanting to rehome him when he’s ready – but that’s a long way off yet. For now, he’s enjoying being a happy young pony playing with his friends – he’s got a lot of fun to catch up on after being so ill at such a young age.”
Pickle has since made a best friend in his stablemate, a pony named Cheddar. Staff said the pair enjoy grazing and playing in the field together.
The foal also “loves a fuss” and enjoys meeting visitors to Penny Farm.
His size has created some practical problems too. Staff said Pickle was so tiny that the Penny Farm team struggled to find a headcollar small enough for him.
World Horse Welfare said its corporate partners LeMieux stepped in and supplied him with a “super mini” headcollar.
Staff at the farm said Pickle will be available for rehoming later this year, once he has completed his rehabilitation.
