A POWYS equine rescue is appealing for a home for a sensitive pony called Sassy, who they say may sometimes be mistaken for living up to her name.

Totem Horses, a not-for-profit rescue based in Llanfechain is appealing for a special home for the 13.1hh (hand high) bay coloured native/cob type mare who was rescued by the RSPCA in 2012.

Although about 12 Sassy was only backed in April 2014 and then went to a home where she was not ridden for about six months before being returned to the charity. Following that, Sassy was given a few months off and brought back into ridden work but a loss of a suitable rider at Totem Horses meant she ended up having another year or so off being ridden.

The rescue centre say she was then offered a lovely home as a companion pony, but just two months later Sassy was returned to the charity again when the adopter had a change in circumstances and said they would be moving their other horse from a rented field to a livery yard so they couldn’t afford to keep her too.

Totem spokeswoman Jo Barr, said: "Sassy did nothing wrong but was still returned from two homes and we have struggled to find her a suitable home. She is not very big so a lot of adults are too tall or heavy for her and due to her sensitive nature, she is not suited to being a children’s pony, although a confident teenager may be fine.”

"Sassy was so happy in her second home as a companion pony and did not put a foot wrong, but we were contacted out of the blue to say circumstances had changed and she needed to come back, which was incredibly sad as we really thought she had found a home for life."

Since being returned, Sassy has been kept in regular work and had plenty of handling thanks to the efforts of experienced rider and Totem Horses volunteer Kelly Evans.

Kelly said: "Sassy hacks out alone and in company and she is generally good with traffic on quiet lanes through the village but will occasionally lose confidence and needs encouragement.

"She is snaffle mouthed, stands still to mount and has excellent manners on the ground but really thrives on a one to one basis and will take her confidence from a rider. She is very sweet though and would make someone a lovely pony who enjoys a fuss."

"Sassy will happily walk over tarpaulin, corrugated sheets and other obstacles and she is used to umbrellas and is very good with dogs, hacking out with one following behind. Sassy is good to catch once she knows you well and grooms and travels well but she can be reluctant to load into a trailer at times, which will need to be worked on in her new home."

Totem Horses says it places horses in long term loan homes anywhere in England and Wales with priority given to people in Shropshire and Powys and adjoining counties. Adoptions are subject to a home visit and an adoption fee.

Anyone who is suitably experienced and interested in offering Sassy a home is asked to contact Jo on 07899 831731 or email admin@totemhorse.org.uk