Mane attraction in Wembley: lost Shetland pony leaves residents baffled

Residents of Preston Hill cul de sac in Wembley are used to the odd cat lazing in their gardens.

But they were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief when a Shetland pony was found chewing the turf on Minal Patel’s front lawn.

Brent council is trying to trace the mare’s owner after it was either abandoned or escaped its enclosure on Friday afternoon.

Ms Patel, 32, an art promoter, said: “I was in my kitchen and my neighbour knocked at my door asking why there was a pony in my front garden.

“At first I thought he was joking, but there the pony was.

“We were all stood around looking at this pony eating grass in our front garden.

“We couldn’t believe it.

“She was very hungry and quite peaceful, but looked quite well looked after.

“Our neighbour’s child fed her a couple of apples.”

Ms Patel called Brent council, where officials more usually deal with stray cats and dogs.

They later found the pony, which is approximately nine hands, has a microchip with some identity information stored on it.

A Brent council spokesman said: “Because the team’s vehicle was not suitable to transport a pony in, they walked the pony three miles to a local stable were she was kept until suitable transport could be arranged.

“The pony has now been moved to stables outside of Brent were she is being kept.

“She is being a delight to handle, although she may not have received proper husbandry as she is reluctant to have her hoofs picked although she is happy to have weight on her back.

“This could indicate she may have been used for children to ride, possibly bareback, but has not had general horse husbandry skilled practised on her, such as having her hoofs regularly picked out and visits from the farrier to keep her feet in good condition.

“Using the microchip number we are making more enquiries about the pony, but we would urge the owner come forward.”

If the pony, named Ribbon by officials, remains unclaimed it will be rehomed.

Ms Patel said that apart from her turf that the pony enjoyed, it caused relatively little damage to her front garden and left behind some manure for her flowerbeds.

Anyone with information if asked to contact Brent council’s animal welfare team on 020 8937 5252.