Rescue pony Alan still waiting for home after more than 450 days

A gentle grey pony who “has so much love to give” has now spent more than 450 days waiting for a new home – leaving his carers baffled as others are rehomed around him.

Alan, a 17-year-old moorland companion pony at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, has seen fellow rescues trot off to new lives while he remains patiently on the charity’s rehoming list.

Described as sweet, curious and quietly confident, Alan has become a firm favourite at the charity’s Yelverton Moorland Rescue Facility – not least for his love of peanut butter and his habit of “inspecting” staff as they go about their day.

The Sanctuary is now appealing for a loving home through its Sanctuary at Home scheme, which places rescued horses and ponies with approved carers on a long-term loan basis, while ongoing support is provided by its welfare and rehoming team.

Alan’s dedicated handler, Mhaya Holloway, said: “Alan would make an amazing pony for the right carer; he’s such a sweet soul. You often hear people say that if a rescued animal hasn’t been rehomed, there must be a reason, but that’s definitely not the case with Alan. He and I have a really lovely connection, and he seems to know when I need him to be there for me. He’s such a reassuring presence. He’s good for the vet, he stands nicely for the farrier with a hay net, and we’ve done a lot of training, so we really understand his needs.

“It’s so sad to see him being overlooked every month and we don’t understand it. We all feel it’s time he found a happy home and can benefit from one–to–one care with someone who wants to learn and grow alongside him. He has so much love to give and whoever rehomes him will be very lucky. We’re longing to see the next step of his journey because he really does deserve a carer who will love him as we do.”

Alan enjoys long walks in the lanes, thrives on companionship and is happiest when he has another equine friend by his side, making him ideal as a non-ridden companion pony.

Jenna Goldby, Head of Welfare and Rehoming at the Sanctuary, added: “Ponies like Alan can transform the lives of the horses they live with, as well as the people who care for them.

“We are specialists in training and preparing ponies for rehoming, and we understand their needs and the benefits and joy they bring into people’s lives. Non–ridden ponies can be incredibly rewarding for someone looking for a close relationship, daily purpose and the chance to learn new skills alongside a pony.

"Our teams know these horses and ponies extremely well and have invested a great deal of time in their handling and training so they’re as well prepared as possible for life in a new home. We can share everything needed, so there should be no surprises and ongoing support and advice are always available. We feel it’s a privilege to care for ponies like Alan, and we hope someone will recognise that and give him the future he deserves.”

The Sanctuary currently cares for around 550 horses and ponies, with more than 130 based at its sites and over 400 already placed in homes across the South West through the rehoming scheme.

Each successful rehoming creates vital space for another equine in urgent need of rescue – something staff hope Alan’s future adopter will help make possible.