A pony who faced being put down after he was rescued from appalling conditions by an animal charity is now settling into his new home.

Five-year-old Dazzy — who hit the headlines in January after The Royal Gazette revealed that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was to put him down because it could not afford the cost of his upkeep — has been taken in by a family that has asked to remain anonymous.

They said in a statement yesterday that they were delighted to provide the former racing pony with a home for the rest of his life.

“Dazzy has found a place in many people’s hearts, not just ours,” they said. “No, he won’t win any races, but if the only thing he ever manages to do is bring a smile to people’s faces when they watch him out running in the paddock, then that would make his life worthwhile.

“He makes us smile every day with the love he shows us and the things he teaches us about forgiveness and trust. We love you, Dazzy. Thank you to the SPCA for letting us have Dazzy; he is a special little soul.”

Dazzy’s story has had a happy ending — but the SPCA warns in an advertisement which will appear in this newspaper today (Thurs) that many horses and ponies on the Island aren’t so lucky.

The charity, which re-homed four other horses and ponies in the last year, says it does not approve of the “seemingly rampant cycle of ownership of horses that is evident on the Island”.

And it reminds those who already own a horse or pony and prospective owners of the huge responsibility involved in caring for such a creature.

“Caring for a large animal is expensive and proper facilities such as a sturdy, safe shelter and fenced land for turnout are a necessity,” states the advertisement. “Daily care is required (feeding, watering, picking out hooves, grooming, mucking out stalls) in addition to ensuring regular turnout and exercise.

“Add to this the costs for food, hay, shoeing, routine medical and dental care, tack, harness, blankets and grooming supplies. Horse ownership is an expensive endeavour in terms of time and costs. Only those who are willing to fully commit should take on any animal.”

SPCA shelter chairman Dr. Andrew Madeiros said many ponies brought to the Island for racing were handed down to unfit owners when they failed to perform or were no longer fit for the track.

That was the case with neglected Dazzy who was discovered living in cramped conditions without adequate food and water in Pembroke last year.

“There is definitely a trade in bringing an animal in and then when they can’t race it they’ll sell it or pass it on to somebody else,” Dr. Madeiros said. “They end up going through two or three owners and the last place they end up is with us. I don’t think it’s an epidemic but there seems to be a bit of a pattern there.”

Heather Kromer, past president of the SPCA, said: “People are bringing in these ponies for racing and if they are not fast enough then they are gone. Dazzy is a classic case.”

She said Dazzy was lucky to have found committed owners with the proper facilities to care for him. “He moved in last Wednesday and apparently he had such a smile on his face as he trotted around the paddock! He couldn’t have had a better ending to his story.”

Dazzy’s health was checked and he was vaccinated before he went to his new home a week ago. He has also become the first horse or pony to be micro chipped locally.

Ms Kromer said today’s advertisement was “an awareness piece in regards to horse and pony ownership in Bermuda”. “It coincides with Dazzy the pony finally finding his ‘forever’ home,” she said.