After the circles of the circus

In July 2015 Animal Rahat requested IPAN to help them to take care of seven former circus ponies. When the ponies arrived they were not much more than skin and bones. There were originally eight ponies in the transport but one of them, half-starved and blind, had collapsed in the transport, did not get up anymore and had to be put to sleep on arrival.
The ponies arrived late evening and as the next morning dawned they begun to get the idea of their new life. No whips and no hobbles but just fields where to graze freely accompanied by the other resident animals of the Hill View Farm.
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However, in the beginning they did not dare to trust people and you could see the fear in their eyes. Slowly the kicking and biting ponies are transforming into friendly and affectionate animals who can be trusted. Our volunteer Karin, who spent five months in building up trust with the ponies has described them here:

​RAIN
Rain is a steady little mare who can be trusted with little children. She enjoys being brushed and has already given us a little surprise. Rain was pregnant on arrival and gave birth to ‘Little Wind’ in January 2016.

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JASMINE
Jasmine is a friendly girl who loves being groomed. And she especially enjoys the carrots that she gets after handling sessions. We suspect that Jasmine is also pregnant and the children have decided that her foal will be Genie. (We already have Aladdin on the farm!)

​BELLE
Belle is the self-nominated leader of the six ponies. She has an energetic temperament and she is the one to decide if she wants to be brushed or not. Belle might also be pregnant.

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CASPIAN
Caspian is an old grandpa who takes his own time to do everything. If allowed to take his time he is the most sweet and nicest pony ever. When scratched on his neck he closes his eyes and relaxes.

​OSCAR
Oscar is the baby of the herd. His favorite hobby is chewing on brushes. He is still a little bit wary of humans and does not like his legs being touched. He loves to be scratched all over by a person he trusts.


SPIRIT
Spirit has a fiery temperament and he doesn't trust people yet much. He makes it very clear when he doesn't want your company. However, after five months of patience and gentle loving care by our volunteer Karin, Spirit has begun to show steady improvement and in trusting people and wanting to be groomed as well.

​Felix
This handsome white stallion was bullied by the others and therefore he was placed immediately with the bigger horses of the Hill View Farm and subsequently made good friends with Raja – the ex-dancing horse. Felix was very weak on arrival and accepted his place as the lowest in the herd hierarchy. However, now after 8 months of good food and freedom, he has gained confidence and strength and is now beginning to challenge to other horses to allow him a higher place in the order.