Grossly overweight abandoned pony goes through amazing transformation

[@ramendik2]

Wow, the pony survived on his own for two years, stuck on a fenced field, and the worst that happened to him is severe obesity? What a resilient animal...

[@pkequestrian6388]

I hate it when people in the comments section say that this pong was Better before. Clearly they don't know what a fit, healthy, happy horse looks like. This horse was so horrifically obese, that he couldn't walk properly and was severely laminitic. His condsition was horrile and anyone that knew the smallest thing about horses would realise that this horse at this weight was cruel and in no way acceptable. For those of you saying that he looks like a lanky two year old now, he doesn't. In fact, he still is, at the end of this video, overweight and is still continuing to lose weight as that is whats right for the welfare of this poor pony. You guys have done an amazing job and should be really proud of yourselves. This pony has made an amazing recovery and is much happy and healthier for it!

[@thatonedog819]

The amount of people who are think he looked better fat is concerning. She went over how she knows he's overweight, not just based off of appearance alone.

[@ashenrose2262]

bel pet THANK YOU. That was pissing me off.

[@laras3682]

I know right, so many horses are too fat so it almost becomes the norm and fit horses are called too thin. My cousin has a shetlandpony who used to be too fat and now she’s on a good weight and people say she’s skinny or thin.

[@deemariedubois4916]

bel pet People can be so odd to me. Whether a person, a dog, or a horse, being overweight is so unhealthy. A shortened life of pain, a variety of obese medical conditions, means a poorer quality of life. We fostered an elderly dog, 10-12 years old, foster fail as we kept him, who was so over weight every step he took hurt. With our vet’s help it took over 9 months to get him down to the weight he should had been. The weight loss gave that wonderful boy a new lease on life. When our vet first saw him, he was honest with us that he was close to the end of his life. After the weight loss, with a healthy diet, lots walks and play time, he lived 4 more years...4 happy active years. Somebody is going to be blessed with a wonderful pony. I wish nothing but a good quality of life for the dear pony. It’s obvious Thunder likes to eat, so his new owner will need to keep an eye in him. Lol.

[@pxrevoid6065]

jesus the size of his neck .-. what a difference!!

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

He looks like a horse again.

[@JustNatax3]

Wow. He's really beautiful, such a shame noone cared for him and he got so overweight. He seems like a gentle good boy.

[@madisonk9939]

Why would people be so cruel to think that he looked better when he was overweight? He’s not a big, heavy horse, he’s a pony.

[@rhiamy4087]

I thought he was a young shire at the start 😂 never knew he was meant to be so small !

[@ashenrose2262]

Rhi Amy if he was a shire he would have been WAY taller.

[@GentleTaipan]

"Shiver off the last few pounds." Wish I could do that. Thank you for taking care of this beautiful pony.

[@tempest510]

He looked like a draft horse, but pony-size, when he came in! I haven't seen an overweight horse before, thank you for sharing this.

[@idekanymore4331]

That must've been some good grass. where I live if people leave horses/ abandoned horses out in a field with just grass they tend to be severely underweight and usually dead..

[@roseeden3099]

The 75 people that dis-liked this are overweight and are jealous of this horse loosing weight faster than them.

[@charlottejudge7860]

Happy ending; I know the lovely people that rehomed him and he is now being trained to drive!

[@zhinka1]

Had my pony 42 years, he bucked off everyone who ever rode him at least once lol, I Miss him horribly! He was my best man at my wedding even, wish they could live forever!

[@Waspinmymind]

Such a pretty horse

[@angelacreasman6277]

I do agree he's a pretty horse

[@raimkes]

Thnx for taking care of him! He is lovely!

[@attilathehen1555]

Just wanted to pop back and say a big thank you for this video. I saw it a few months ago and looked up at my cat nearby.....he was terribly fat, fed ad lib. I took him to the vet, put him on a diet and now he is much healthier and happier, although still a little way to go. He plays like a youngster ( he is 11), runs and jumps. Thank you for making me wake up and take notice!

[@horsegirl6679]

This is just SAD but so happy to see the wonderful recovery of this horse!

[@francessweeney2308]

In another 9 month's time, Thunder will look completely different. Now castrated,back to a healthy weight and with the Laminitis under control; he can now begin his fitness training gradually building up the length and workout intensity. As I understand from the report, he is having physiotherapy to help regain the mobility and build muscle.

[@kirstyhill1493]

i’m glad they managed to help the pony, he looks so gentle and sweet

[@francessweeney2308]

It might do Thunder some good to spend some of his physio time in a water treadmill. That way,he can build up strength without too much stress on his joints. It would be easy enough to get a vet's referral as thunder already has had a bout of laminitis and obesity

[@LFMcD]

He is a lovely pony with so much potential. With better care, neutering, he will be a wonderful companion. He is the type of pony I rode when I was a kid, and still love.

[@Le_Bold_Thinker]

I despise people who harm or neglect animals. Horses, dogs, cats, pigs, cows ect. Im an animal lover and it breaks my heart to see any animal, especially horses and dogs, suffer at the hands of a human.

[@eqrena]

I thought he was a young heavymix stallion at the beginning! Thank you guys for saving him

[@LadyTofu]

He is stunning!

[@Ellie378374]

What a cracking looking pony! He’s going to be super little lad for someone! Very impressive and safe weight loss!!

[@my_bay_jed5509]

That neck was insane!😨

[@huzia89]

such a lovely transformation. how lightly and effortlessly he's moving after those 9 months - wow.

[@SpaceCowboy42X]

Wow. He looks AMAZING now! He was a fatty boom-ba-latty when he 1st showed up. I've never heard of a horse so fat it had a pad between and behind the ears! That's over a decade of grooming thoroughbreds... I'm so glad y'all could help him.

[@tomboytrotter7755]

Gorgeous pony! He seems so spunky now compared to when he first came in.

[@randomvielleuse527]

What a handsome fellow! I hope he's found a happy home by now.

[@666-k3r4f]

That pony is so stunning and it's so incredibly sad that he got that fat but he's so healthy now. You bus did an amazing job!

[@raraavis7782]

What a cutie - hope he found a good home! I didn’t know, horses could get severely overweight on just gras...

[@monkey-trial...6578]

Hes a nice looking pony. He looks taller in the later images!

[@PrimaDina]

He is beautiful ♥ Looks like a Tinker when he arrived. I think he was more beautfil when he was bigger, but now he is healthier and can enjoy his life again and thats the inportant thing.

[@Violet-tf1rd]

PRIMADINA • MountainWeight Don't you call those gypsy horses?

[@theoune2501]

he was so beautiful I would have never guess that he was obese 😥 but now he’s happy and still so beautiful !!

[@henrimatisse7481]

fascinating programme he's been through in a year and the shaving technique to induce shivering weight loss is especially interesting to me. His coat is beautiful and anyone would be lucky to get him!

[@silverstuff182]

I've rescued a pony like this, very fat, huge crown on his neck and somewhat laminitic, hooves stuck out untrimmed. It took 7 YEARS to get him okay. Gradual trimming of his feet and weight loss achieved very simply by putting a bucket over his head like a plastic feedbag if you will. We took a kids hard plastic sandbox toy bucket and cut a two inch round hole in the bottom, attached it to a halter. He could only eat what he could get through that hole. He went from immoveable to taking kids on long mountain trail rides! Worth all the work! And money.

[@carotrike]

I have to hand it to the charity, they do a great job with these beautiful animals! It would be great to see some more follow-up films.

[@mistylovesfoxes9325]

I reckon he would be SUPER nice to ride bareback, it would be like a really soft squishy couch. But poor boy, so happy they rescued him!

[@carotrike]

Thunder, otherwise known as Dave, was always my favourite horse. We visited him often. He looked SO good before he was regimes as a driving horse!

[@sarazazova]

what a good boy

[@TheDeleece]

WHR have done a fantastic job to give Thunder his quality of life back in a healthy and happy environment. Its a long road sometimes for these little laminitic ponies - often just cast aside because its all too hard to get them literally 'back on their feet' again. Kudos to all the staff and helpers, farriers and vets that take on the challenges and turn a bad situation into a victory! Thankyou!

[@Christian_Girl120]

Awwwwwww. He looks like an absolute sweetheart. It's horrible that there are people who neglect and abuse animals. It's awesome that there are people like you guys who work tirelessly to help them and restore them to good health. That poor boy. You can see he is just miserable.

[@Michele-rt5he]

Good job everybody and that Pony looks gorgeous now. Thanks for the tip about shaving part of the hair off to cause this shiver to help reduce weight. I didn't know that and truthfully I hadn't thought about that. That's just another tool for my toolbox while dealing with horses. Hopefully it won't be something I have to use. Thank you for loving and caring for horses and ponies donkeys too maybe

[@detsnumber1]

see horses like this everyday in the show ring.

[@georgelopez5173]

He is a beautiful pony

[@heidin2059]

Lovely boy, wish I could adopt him.

[@horsesRmylife]

Heidi N same I have actually been looking for a horse!

[@josiegirl1167]

So grateful for people who care for animals, especially those who volunteer and donate money.

[@susanleezer182]

He looks so much better! Great job guys

[@jomama5186]

He is precious! Thank you for helping these majestic beings!

[@liftoffthecouch]

What an incredible change! You'd never know he's the same pony!

[@mscarolynnigro]

He's so lovely and kind

[@Karina2126]

That.pony is adorable! Im so happy for him/her .

[@wintershock]

It’s quite easy to tell it’s a he. They also referred to Thunder as a he throughout the video.

[@JudyHart1]

A world of difference, saved his life. Well done.

[@instigatedeye5941]

I know this is an old video now, but he looks like such a doll, such a cute head shape, congrats on doing a safe weight loss that didn't result in anything like a fallen crest. Whoever owns him now is super lucky to have him

[@lynboxer2920]

Thank you so much for all you do for the horses and ponys! I have never been around horses, and I live in Kansas, USA. The reason you can do this is you have a heart of gold!!! I would want to find the people who do this, and let them live like they make the animals live! GOD BLESS YOU ALL OF YOU 💙🙏🏻❤️🤗🐴💚🍀 The World Horse Welfare/and you, will always be in my prayers!

[@toasterhood202]

Wow amazing transformation he is such a sweet Pony he would be a good begginer lesson horse

[@anoukvandervelde3288]

Sooo sad, its such abeautyful horse

[@stuartahardy]

Love your advice

[@nellierhodes04]

what a pretty boy!! feel so bad no one wanted to love him, but i’m so glad he is so beautiful now!

[@tineyjesickahful]

He is absolutely beautiful. My god what a gorgeous animal.

[@hadashart1319]

Wow, I can’t believe anyone could treat a horse like this. Thank you World Horse Welfare for helping this gorgeous boy!

[@CherokeeBear]

He is so adorable with his fuzzy winter coat.

[@sanjose6018]

Such wonderful compassionate people ... THANK you ALL

[@cocolebo4636]

Poor horse Glad to see his wonderful transformation 😄

[@dominiqueroy9512]

I'm so happy to see that Thunder is doing so well.

[@lifesgreat9951]

It's great to know there's people like you all out there!

[@jesseelisabeatty3259]

I'm glad they did makes him he's so sweet able to get a loving home

[@witchapparatus]

He seems like a really nice guy. Thank you for helping him!

[@mrcarter6864]

aw, so sad!!! So happy he is in good hands now.

[@elysegauci5188]

he is so so beautiful. i love horses

[@owenwilson9398]

30 seconds in and i can already to this horse

[@SitaG-xi1sr]

he looks so fluffy

[@Satanxxxxxx]

He is so cute 😍

[@georgiewalker1069]

Give that man a Bells 🥃 such good work. Thank you from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@susannezacke2823]

love the horse and you

[@Twistfashion]

Well done!! He looks absolutely amazing after being with you guys!

[@daemonember]

He is a gorgeous boy and I would have adopted him in a heartbeat

[@annebell7274]

Fantastic outcome. Those poor legs and hooves holding his weight. I'll be honest at first I thought WoW what a beauty, his proud thick neck. Then I listened to the experts. Well done guys. He's a lot lighter but still looking fantastic. Now to gently build up the muscles. Excellent 🌹💟💟💟🌹

[@RogueShadowAngel]

what a pretty animal...

[@kidlethaven689]

That horse is so cute

[@rhywnn]

What a great guy. Amazing work on getting him thinner and in shape. Wish I could volunteer with you.

[@nikkiqueenhorseystanleylov6186]

Yay! So happy he's on the road to recovery! Love u Dave! Hope u find your forever person!

[@stephenclark3230]

I work with horses(employee at a riding school) and honestly some of them would just eat themselves to death without guidance from humans. All they think about is food, for the most part.

[@equestriannewbies889]

Cheers from California! I love your videos! Although initially they are sad and I feel horrible for the horses, you ALWAYS rehab the animals and they are SOOOOO much better for it! Wonderfully joyful outcomes and beautiful horses to be adopted by people who will love and care for them!

[@ponylover2206]

Oh that poor boy!☹️ how sad. He’s such a pretty pony

[@bellacontess5388]

They really did an amazing job with him.

[@amayafuller8895]

Wow you wouldn't think he was the same pony!!!

[@lmbarak]

What a delightful pony. He has such a sweet disposition.

[@catherinecullen9770]

He is beautiful

[@vampervlad2399]

I’d consider enlisting myself in that weight loss program, but I’m a bit reluctant about the castration part.

[@saungbriesen]

He's gorgeous

[@Katseye102]

Quite a transformation! Good job! He's beautiful!

[@Britty0189]

He’s SO HANDSOME! ❤️

[@xxx-cl4vj]

He’s absolutely gorgeous! X😍💕

[@serenadodson3547]

I wish I could have him!🐴

[@faroshscale]

Omg he's precious!!!

[@comesahorseman]

Seems to have a good attitude working in-hand, a fine little animal. Well done! :)

[@mango4468]

he's done a good job. who would do that to a pony/horse

[@alidost4126]

He is soooo cute ❤

[@pitbullsandcalicos]

He is beautiful you have done such a great job with him, he must feel so much better. ❤❤