Campaign to fund therapy pony and carry on remarkable work of much-loved Welsh Cob Sam

A Welsh Cob named Sam has left a huge void in the lives of those he helped in his role as a therapy horse following an untimely death after developing colic. Now Parklands Riding for the Disabled Association has launched an urgent appeal to raise £10,000 to buy and train a new pony in order continue Sam’s important work.

SHEER JOY: The therapy is certainly working. Picture: Equ-librium

Therapy horses and ponies have long since been recognised as being able to make a valuable, unique and transformative contribution to the well-being of children and adults. Regular supporters of The War Horse Memorial will be familiar with Patrick, a therapy pony in Torquay who is our official mascot.

Former international showjumper Alison Ramseier, who runs Parklands RDA, a chariitble organisation based in Middleton, Staffordshire, explained: “Tragically we lost one of our amazing horses, Sam, to a sudden illness. Volunteers and participants are shocked and saddened. With the loss of Sam we have some participants who can no longer ride as we don’t have another suitable horse.”She added: “Our horses teach so much, whether in riding lessons, ground sessions or the many other activities we offer.”

Alison is a qualified paediatric chiropractor for humans and animals and has her own clinic, Equi-librium Family Wellness, next door to the riding school for children with disabilities and special needs. She was inspired to start the school after noticing the dramatic effect a pony she had re-homed from Blue Cross, an animal welfare charity supported by The War Horse Memorial, had on children when her young patients walked passed Dillon’s stable. “I had treated a few kids with disabilities and they couldn’t raise their hand, but the second they walked past Dillon’s stable, which was next to the chiropractic room, they would be able to.” she said. “That’s when I first started to think about equine therapy.

“Then, about seven years ago, Dillon, who started life as part of a herd used for animal vaccine research, was invited to visit to Worcester Children’s Hospital dressed as a reindeer to help Santa deliver presents. A trip that certified the pony’s incredible affinity with youngsters. We didn’t know what would happen when we first took him there. But when we arrived the staff brought out a little girl in a wheelchair with drips hanging everywhere. I recall she had leukaemia and possibly not long left with her family but her dream was to see a pony.

“At first, Dillon took a step back and snorted, and I just thought ‘Oh no’. But then the girl put her little fragile hand out with a treat and Dillon just knew. He walked up to her wheelchair, took the treat and started nuzzling her cheek. I believe she died a few weeks later but Dillon had at least been there to make one of her dreams come true.”

Click logo to learn more about Alison’s work.

Josh Hoskins, who has Down's syndrome, had a special bond with Sam. Alison told BBC West Midlands: “He was everything to Josh. He was his best friend, his therapy horse, his mentor and so much more."

You can help to fund a new therapy pony by making a donation here.