A Fraserburgh couple who take in rescued ponies have said it makes their house in the countryside “feel like home”.
Mary and Alistair Doran moved to the countryside in 2007, and have since saved two ponies which now enjoy a life of peace and tranquility near the coast.
As part of charity World Horse Welfare’s annual drive to rehome horses, the couple is now encouraging more families who are able to take in a pony to sign up.
Mr and Mrs Doran completed their “herd” last summer, and are now the loving owners of Hamilton, Solo, Rags and Laird – all of which came from different backgrounds.
Solo and Laird had both been part of a large welfare case at farm in Cuminestown.
Last night, Mrs Doran said that rehoming each horse had been a “rewarding” experience.
“Rehoming a horse from World Horse Welfare not only means that you are giving them a new lease of life but also makes space for the thousands of other horses and ponies who need the charity’s help,” she added.
“Every day when I get home from work I go out to see them all grazing happily in the field – they really make it feel like home and I am so happy to have them in my life.”
Rehome a Horse month shines a light on the horses and ponies who are looking for homes.
World Horse Welfare marked a 10-year record last year with 300 horses rehomed – and the charity hopes to exceed this number in 2015.
The charity’s deputy chief executive, Tony Tyler, said: “We have worked hard to promote the variety and quality of our horses and ponies as well as the genuine advantages of rehoming over buying or breeding.
“Our rehoming scheme groups horses into several categories dependent on their age, experience and suitability for different activities and covers everything from non-ridden companions to those with potential to make competition horses.”