Help save Putting in the Magic Pony Sanctuary

Please help me to continue to allow these ponies the chance to live out their lives in safety.

Over the past ten years, I have created a place of safety for abused ponies beside Rocketts in Westown, Tramore. I have never said no to a pony in need. But that will change unless you can help me.

In July 2019 my landlord, Peter Holzmann, gave me Notice to Quit as he wanted to sell the property. I tried to negotiate with him but my pleas fell on deaf ears, so I decided to fight him and after 4 very stressful years dealing with the landlord and his solicitors, I'm still here.

In December 2022 my landlord brought me to the Rents Board and saw his Notice to Quit declared invalid. 9 months later he has issued a new Notice with my tenancy to expire on 22nd April 2024.

Repeated requests to the landlord for a price on the property fell on deaf ears so I have now decided to look for somewhere else to buy, in a county where prices are more affordable.

But I can’t do it without your support.

 I rescued my first pony, a Shetland foal abandoned by the roadside, in 2014. Since then 38 ponies have come through my doors, of which 22 have been rehomed and 4 have been euthanised because of illness or injury. There are currently 10 in my care. I think I've done a good job.

Ponies like little Frances, a 42 year old shetland, found tied to a tree outside a primary school in Dublin, being stoned and punched and kicked by children until she fell to the ground, terrified out of her wits, while people passed by on their way to work and did nothing. Frances was euthanised in December 2022 at the age of 50.

Ponies like Reginald Goatpony, found tied with blue rope to an electric gate on an industrial estate, so that every time the gate opened he had to walk with it. By the time somebody stopped to help him, his legs were tangled up in the rope and he had severe, infected abrasions on his back and belly, which required veterinary attention. He, too, found his way to me.

Ponies like Lorenzo, a tiny 3 month old shetland foal, whose back feet were shod with ill fitting shoes, who was put into harness and beaten down the road pulling a trap carrying 5 big lads. Lorenzo arrived in the middle of the night, depressed and bewildered, with a cough, an eye infection and damaged hind legs. He was so small, he was transported here in the back of a jeep.

Ponies like Ernie,  crippled with laminitis, and surrendered to me last year, who would have died a painful, lonely death without me. They are still in recovery.

Ponies like MacDonald who was advertised on Done Deal for €60 where, luckily, a friend saw him and bought him and brought him to me. For the next 3 months he was hand reared on 4 hourly milk feeds. He is now 7 years old, a healthy,happy cob.

I utilise my skills as Equine Massage Therapist and Energy Healer to provide specialised care for ponies that nobody else wants. The ones who have given so much and once unable to give any more are cast aside to die a lonely death. Some ponies are lucky enough to find a good home but many will probably never be rehomed because they are too damaged, physically or psychologically. They will live out their lives here.

If i do not raise the money, the sanctuary will close after I die. I am 72 years old. I will not live forever. Many of these ponies will outlive me and will face a very uncertain future. Ponies like Ernie and Sinbad may have to be euthanised. Ponies that i might have saved in the coming years will not be saved.

Please help me to continue saving ponies by giving whatever you can afford. Your contribution will bring me closer to my goal. 

Be a part of my story. Be a part of my ponies’ lives.

Spread my story far and wide so that I may provide a safe haven for the ponies that live here and continue to take in others that need my help.

https://puttinginthemagic.ie/

https://www.facebook.com/francesshetland

                                                                          I shall

                                                                        Gather up

                                                                     All the lost souls

                                                                 That wander this earth

                                                               All the ones that are alone

                                                               All the ones that are broken

                                                          All the ones that never really fitted in

                                                                 I shall gather them all up

                                                                  And together we shall

                                                                     Find our home

                                                                             ~

                                                                      Athey Thompson