MEET THE WONDERFUL LITTLE MISSY:

I guess nobody ever got around to telling this brave little bundle of joy that she is a tiny 5 hand miniature horse, because she certainly believes herself to be as big as her larger herd brothers and sisters that's she is seen having fun with.

I'm just looking through all the photos we have of her over the 7 years she has been with us so far, and nearly every picture always shows Missy enjoying life to the fullest of her capacity....

Running and frolicking with the bigger member of our herd, or being nosey and welcoming new and often worried horses to our centre. She is always the first to be in the thick of the action.

It's hard to believe Missy arrived to us as a trembling wreck, and has genuinely suffered from the vilest source of abuse I have ever witnessed on any horse, and that is saying something as you see the best and worst when you work in horse rescue.

But what is truly magical about this fantastic little girl is her zest for life, which is always infectious.

I remember introducing her to a good friend for the first time, as she watched this little one take a serious gallop up a decent hill , then freestyle jump a big box, coming to a 180 degree sliding stop just a metre away, where she marched up to say with the expression of "well this is me"! Lol -you cannot help but smile to even see this little one in action. Add to this her capacity to mother all she sees, and you have one special little horse.

Missy sadly lost her long time companion in Laddy just a few months back, rest his soul, and it was clear she was completely heartbroken, so for her to be able to put her pain aside and care for her newest companion in Whisper shows how selfless this little darling truly is.

I always try to leave my own baggage at the gate when interacting with horses, especially traumatised rescue horses, as I figure they don't need my stress but sometimes you cannot help but let the big moments of life leach through when you are with them, and when my Dad passed away, Missy was just amazing with me. She cared for me and comforted me like I was her own foal, as she has done for a hundred scared horses on their way into our centre when they are first rescued. She truly is one very special little mare. Xxx

There are lots of unwanted horses out there right now that need saving just like Missy, so if you are looking for a horse, please consider giving a rescue horse a home. www.naturalhorse.co.nz