Tiny Shetland Pony Foal “Pam” Captures Hearts Nationwide After TV Appearance
By Charities Correspondent
A pint-sized Shetland pony foal named Pam has captured hearts across the UK after her adorable debut on national television. Weighing just 17kg at birth—about the same as a springer spaniel—Pam has quickly become a viral favourite and a symbol of successful horse rescue and rehabilitation.
Born in July at World Horse Welfare’s Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Somerset, Pam is one of the smallest foals ever seen at the centre in nearly two decades of operation. Her devoted mum, Sophie, was rescued in September last year as part of a group of frightened, unhandled Shetland ponies. Thanks to months of patient care, both mother and daughter are now thriving.
“Pam is an absolute sweetheart – she’s tiny but full of personality,” said Amy McCormack, Yard Supervisor at Glenda Spooner Farm. “At a month old she measured just 22 inches tall and weighed 31kg — still closer in size to a large dog than a foal! The other foals born here this summer weigh almost twice as much, so Pam really stands out in the paddock.”
Despite her miniature frame, Pam’s confidence and playful charm have made her a favourite among visitors to the centre. Staff say they’ve already received a flood of rehoming enquiries, even though Pam isn’t yet old enough to leave her mum.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of disappointed people when she’s finally ready for rehoming,” McCormack joked. “Everyone wants Pam!”
Pam’s story is a powerful reminder of how rescue charities transform the lives of neglected horses and ponies. When Sophie and her companions first arrived at the charity last year, they were unhandled and fearful of humans. Under the expert care of the Glenda Spooner Farm team, they’ve blossomed into healthy, confident ponies — several of whom have already found loving new homes.
“Pam had the best start — born in safety and surrounded by love,” said Claire Dickie, Centre Manager. “It’s a world away from the life her mum and so many other rescued horses once faced.”
With her adorable looks, bright personality, and heartwarming backstory, Pam has quickly become a poster pony for World Horse Welfare’s rescue work, proving that even the tiniest ponies can make the biggest impact.