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Miniature Shetland Pony saved by milk of human kindness

Jul 31 2011 by Neil McKay, Sunday Sun

Micky Willie with Sharon Welford

MEET Micky Willie – the miniature Shetland Pony who is proving a big hit at a popular North tourist attraction.

But the pint-sized pony only survived thanks to the tender loving care of “foster mum” Sharon Welford.

The tiny foal had been rejected by his mother, and breeder Ritchie Dixon from Annfield Plain, County Durham, turned to Sharon for help.

The 44-year-old vet’s receptionist from Watling Bungalows, Leadgate, near Consett, explained: “Ritchie is related to my partner and he asked if I would try to help since the poor little mite’s mother wasn’t feeding him.

“I had a bitch with puppies in one part of the house and Micky Willie in another, it was chaos.

“I began by borrowing a neighbour’s baby teat and fed him milk from that.

“I was sleeping on the settee to be near him and every two hours he would nudge me for a feed.

“He was no bigger than a bag of sugar, but he was determined to survive.”

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