It’s almost impossible to imagine abandoning animals to starve. Yet that’s exactly what happened to three mares left to suffer in a remote cornfield in Buckinghamshire, England.
What followed was one of the most shocking horse neglect cases rescuers had ever seen — and the remarkable survival story of one determined mare named Pollyanna.
Three Neglected Mares Discovered in Buckinghamshire
Around eleven years ago, near Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire, three severely emaciated horses were found abandoned in a vast field. The case quickly drew the attention of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
All three mares were in critical condition.
One horse was so weak she could not stand and had to be humanely euthanized at the scene to prevent further suffering. The remaining two mares were transported for emergency care.
They were later named Pollyanna and Penelope.
Rushed to Safety at The Horse Trust
The surviving mares were taken to The Horse Trust, a charity dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating vulnerable horses.
Their condition was dire.
Penelope tragically did not survive despite intensive efforts to save her. But Pollyanna — known affectionately as Polly — held on.
At just five years old, the bay mare weighed only 696 pounds, roughly half the healthy weight for a horse her size. Her ribs protruded sharply, and she had virtually no body fat. Rescuers described her as the thinnest living horse they had ever encountered.
Jeanette Allen, chief executive of The Horse Trust at the time, later told The Daily Mail that Polly’s survival was nothing short of a miracle.
“It’s the worst case of horse neglect I’ve ever seen,” she said.
A Delicate and Dangerous Recovery
Polly’s rehabilitation required extraordinary care.
Feeding a starving horse isn’t as simple as offering unlimited food. In severe starvation cases, refeeding too quickly can cause “refeeding syndrome,” a potentially fatal metabolic shock.
Veterinarians had to introduce calories slowly and cautiously. At the same time, Polly needed treatment for worms — but even deworming medication carried risks for her fragile body.
It was, as rescuers described, a heartbreaking Catch-22 situation.
Yet Polly fought through.
Over six months, she gradually gained strength and weight, climbing from 696 pounds to over 1,000 pounds. With each passing week, her personality began to shine.
From Skeletal Survivor to Confident Mare
The transformation was astonishing.
The frail, hollow-eyed horse who arrived on a freezing February day grew into a vibrant, affectionate mare. She developed confidence, formed bonds with other rescue horses, and adored attention from caregivers.
At one point, staff even joked that she had her own “fan club” of male horses who followed her everywhere.
Polly’s story spread widely, touching hearts across the country. She became a symbol of resilience and second chances.
Her journey also helped support The Horse Trust’s sponsorship program, encouraging donors to fund ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts for neglected horses.
A Sad Update in 2024
In May 2024, The Horse Trust shared devastating news.
Pollyanna — the miracle mare who had beaten the odds — had passed away.
In their tribute, the charity described her as a “beautiful miracle girl” who survived the worst body condition they had ever seen.
Though her death brought sadness, her life after rescue tells a different story — one of dignity, comfort, and love.
The Legacy of Pollyanna
Polly’s life highlights the harsh reality of equine neglect, but it also underscores the critical importance of animal welfare organizations.
Without the intervention of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and The Horse Trust, her story would have ended in that cold cornfield.
Instead, she experienced years of safety, companionship, and care.
Her journey continues to inspire support for horse rescue charities and reminds us that even the most desperate cases deserve a chance.
While her passing is heartbreaking, Pollyanna’s legacy lives on in every horse given a second chance because people chose to care.
And after everything she endured, that may be the most powerful ending of all.
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