Jigsaw - A big piece of our puzzle

14.2hh - 2008 (11yrs) skewbald

This special boy has quite the backstory...

During "The Big Freeze" in December 2010, The country ground to a halt for weeks & everyone with animals was under pressure. With the help of Mum & Dad (dressed in his usual attire of shorts & ankle boots!!!), we got into a new routine of filling water buckets from any tap that wasn't yet frozen, warming it and driving it to the field horses. It was tough but our horses were safe and we had supplies so we were in better shape than some.

One of the first pictures I saw of Jigsaw

Then I came across a FB post from Holly's Horse Haven (an equine rescue centre) looking for help. I looked through their post & among others, I saw Jigsaw's picture...

I can't explain why him but like with all my horses, I followed my gut. I spoke to Holly's & got his heartbreaking history... he was found abandoned in a flooded field. Two of his field mates had passed away, too weak & too hungry. He was the only one still standing & therefore, alive.

While I don't like to think of a healthy horse being euthanized, if abandonment is the alternative, I think it would have been kinder on these poor horses. However, Jigsaw was still with us and my god, I was going to do what I could to make up for his bad start in life.

He arrived to the yard on the 14th December 2010 & even underweight, covered in painful rain-scald, he was the sweetest pony I have ever met.

The "Before" ....the day he arrived.

His passport said he was a 5yo gelding, but to me he looked a lot younger, maybe 2yo? Fast-forward a bit, while having a hoof trim, I walked by him & spotted something between his back legs... turns out his passport was not at all accurate ... we had ourselves a little STALLION!!!

Jigsaw spent months in rehab. Recovering from the rain-scald, gaining weight and ultimately, having some much needed TLC. Needless to say, we all fell in love with him. After all he had been through, he never even showed us any signs of fear or mistrust, just love. I still find it hard to believe.

The " After" (what a stud!)

Having shown such sensibility and kindness, after a few years (and a big belly of grass later), I began to think that putting him in some of the lessons might be a good idea. Having previously been a pacer at some point during his first couple of years, his movement is unorthodox but he has become a huge favorite of the riders. Sometimes a challenge, but always rewarding.

This pony has gone from nearly falling over poles to becoming a proper little jumper and grows in confidence with every lesson. He still gives me goosebumps and you will regularly hear a round of applause from the arena as Jigsaw shows 'the veterans' how its done!!!

These quiet moments...

While he is now most definitely one of "the boys", his temperament remains soft & caring. When I go into the field or open the corral gate for them to exit. the others will scoot off and have a play, ignoring me... but Jigsaw will always stop for a cuddle & a quiet moment. It's during these times that I feel he is showing me his appreciation but we have a bond like no other and he owes me nothing. It turns out, we are the lucky ones!!!

Sarah x