Two rescue ponies who featured on BBC Countryfile are now starring in a series of children’s books.
Huckleberry and Dash were rescued by World Horse Welfare in 2016. Huckleberry, who was just a few months old, was found tethered alone on a rubbish dump next to the remains of another horse and Dash was taken into the charity’s care after a field officer discovered him as “skin and bones”.
After completing rehabilitation at the charity they were rehomed together in August 2016 by Samantha Perry of Hertfordshire.
Samantha said: “When I saw them both on the website they were so adorable and reading about the bond they have inspired me. Also, I have a little boy who when they were backed would be able to grow up with them and enjoy riding them.
“Both ponies have grown in confidence during their time with me and their characters are so adorable. Dash loves a cuddle and has come on leaps and bounds with his work under saddle, he now trusts people, and my daughter Olivia has just started riding him. Huckleberry has just got cheekier and funnier — he is now more like a pet dog than a pony.
“We go for long walks with them and they are very well-known in the local area as little celebrities. They enjoy their grooming sessions and still love to play together in their field.
Samantha said Huckleberry and Dash’s “antics” inspired the creation of the books, the first of which has been published along with a childrens’ cookbook.
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“We have just launched their first book entitled The Adventures of Huckleberry and Dash.
“We plan to take them to as many places as we can with their young riders and will also be holding a ‘meet the ponies day’ to help promote their book before Christmas.”
50p from each book sold will be donated to World Horse Welfare.
“My advice to anyone thinking of getting a new horse or pony would be to go and look at the rehoming centres first,” said Samantha. “There are so many talented horses there that have just had a bad start in life and deserve all the love and attention they can get. I would definitely rehome again and recommend it to everyone.”
People can search HuckandDash on Facebook to find out more about the books, and the ponies.
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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
