Brantano help pony stay in boots

Thursday 26th April 2012

A pony which wears special padded boots to protect her tender hooves is receiving support from footwear chain Brantano.

Shetland pony Nazia has become a popular attraction at HorseWorld since being rescued from Greece in 2003 with overgrown feet, a matted coat, and extremely underweight.

She was fitted with boots to protect her front hooves following her arrival at the centre, in Whitchurch, near Bristol.

Now 11-hands high Nazia is getting help from Brantano to raise funds for her special shoes which cost £120 per pair and must be replaced every six to nine months. Staff at Brantano in Bristol have agreed to fundraise in store.

Amanda Fletcher, store manager at Brantano Avonmeads, Bristol, said: "We know how popular Nazia is and we're looking forward to welcoming HorseWorld staff and volunteers to our store at various times over the next few months to raise much-needed funds for her replacement boots."

HorseWorld groom Lin Horwood said: "Nazia's tender front hooves make movement quite painful. She first had some unusual and special boots fitted three years ago to protect her feet and stop them becoming so sore when she walks.

"She is a busy pony and, just as with human shoes, Nazia's boots wear out quite quickly, which means Brantano's support is a perfect match."

HorseWorld rescues, rehomes, and rehabilitates horses ponies and donkeys.

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