Pony Retirement Fund: Time for the Heroes to Rest

Rainbow and Mamba have both settled beautifully into their well-deserved retirement. They’re thriving with their new friends and enjoying unlimited turnout, plenty of food, and an endless supply of love.

Rainbow remains the more sensitive of the two. He is still learning to trust again, but we are seeing encouraging signs of progress. Our team spends time each day brushing and bonding with him so he can grow comfortable with regular human interaction. Even a simple grooming session can still make him anxious, but with gentle handling, patience, and care, he’s beginning to understand that these moments are safe and kind. He’s learning that human contact no longer means being harnessed to a cart and forced to pull heavy loads for hours.

For now, Rainbow still requires light sedation during hoof trimming to keep the process safe for both him and our staff, as his fear responses can be quite strong. However, we’re optimistic that with continued calm reassurance, consistency, and positive reinforcement, this will soon no longer be necessary.

Mamba, on the other hand, continues to be the picture of calm and contentment. He spends his days happily playing in the paddock with his new friends and enjoying a slower, peaceful rhythm of life. His gentle nature and love of human contact make him an absolute joy to care for — he truly embodies the spirit of a kind and gentle soul.

Both ponies recently received deep tissue massages and red light therapy, which they thoroughly enjoyed, relaxing completely into the experience.

Your generous donations make all of this possible. They allow us to provide daily feed, veterinary and dental care, supplements, shelter, land rent, farrier visits, and even small luxuries like massages. As we enter the rainy, low season on the island, your continued support is more vital than ever to help us meet our monthly expenses.

Rainbow and Mamba are living proof that with compassion, patience, and love, even the most fearful horses can find peace again. We are incredibly proud of both of them and grateful to everyone who helps make their happy retirement possible. 

We’re thrilled to share that there are no longer any horses working in rubbish collection on the island. Thanks to your support, we were able to replace the last four working ponies with motorbikes — and safely rehome every one of them.

Where are they now?

Agus has found a kind new home as a taxi pony, where his working hours have been drastically reduced. He now enjoys a clean, comfortable stable, fresh water, plenty of food, and a much easier life. We recently visited him and were so happy to see him healthy, relaxed, and well cared for.

Chocolate has joined the herd at Horses of Gili, where he’s rediscovering his confidence around people. He loves his freedom, and his paddock time is doing wonders for his spirit and health — especially his hind end movement.

Rainbow and Mamba are living happily at Stud, enjoying full-time turnout in spacious paddocks. Mamba is calm, affectionate, and loves his daily grooming sessions, while Rainbow — once extremely anxious — is growing more confident by the day.

Why We Need You

These ponies have given over 15 years of hard work. They’ve earned every moment of their retirement — but we can’t provide this safe, peaceful life for them without your help.

Your donations directly fund:

• Their daily feed and supplements
• Veterinary care and medications
• Shelter maintenance and land rent
• Farrier and dental care
• Enrichment and grooming

• Be Part of Their New Beginning
• Help us continue to give these deserving ponies a safe, happy, and dignified life — one without the burden of labor.
• Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.
• Support their forever home today.
• Thank you for helping us rewrite their story.