A tiny colt who was abandoned to face a “Frozen” winter has been given a brighter future, and is spearheading a campaign to help other vulnerable horses.
Coloured foal Olaf had been separated from his mother too early and left to fend for himself, on land prone to flooding, as the winter weather approached.
“Thankfully, the landowners cared enough to get Olaf the help he needed, and they contacted World Horse Welfare,” a spokesman for the charity said. “When field officer Chris Shaw visited to assess the situation in early December, it was clear that Olaf was very young indeed, just a few months old — and his situation was precarious with winter weather fast approaching.”
Chris said Olaf was clearly nervous but repeatedly approached him.
“It was as if he didn’t want to be left on his own again,” he said.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
“Happily, for him, the landowners took the appropriate action and used the Control of Horses Act. This meant that when no-one came forward to claim Olaf, he was signed over into our care and ownership. He is now looking at a well-fed and cosy future rather than having to face a frozen, uncertain winter alone.”
Olaf was taken to World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm rescue and rehoming centre in Norfolk, where he will be cared for until he is ready to be rehomed.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“Tiny Olaf, who is so small he barely reached Chris’s waist, is lucky and now facing a secure future but, sadly, he won’t be the only one who needs help in the coming months,” said the charity spokesman. “Despite his diminutive size and youth Olaf has taken on the important role of being the face of World Horse Welfare’s new year appeal as rescue and caring for the horses and ponies continues year-round.
“Funds are tight at this time of year for everyone, but even a small donation to World Horse Welfare will really make a difference and help give horses and ponies in need, like Olaf, a fresh start this year.”
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
