A TINY pony rescued by a horse charity is their smallest resident to date.

When staff at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary were called to rescue two abandoned ponies earlier this year they didn’t expect one of them to be the same height as a German Shepherd.

This smallest resident since the charity began work 28 years ago is a miniature Shetland pony yearling standing at just 6.1 hands high – that’s the equivalent of 25 inches or 63.5cm.

Known as Sir Didymus, but affectionately called ‘Diddy’, this young man is said to have ‘bags of character to make up for his lack of height, and is a real cheeky chappy’.

Rescued along with his companion Ludo, both young ponies were underweight and suffering from neglect after having been left alone in a field in south Wales to fend for themselves.

Since arriving at the south Devon sanctuary both have progressed well and moved from the rehabilitation centre to the visitor centre.

Head Groom Carly Cavaliere said: ‘Didymus has come a long way since arriving to us earlier this year. He may be small but he can stick up for himself, he’s a sweet boy and everyone has fallen in love with him.’

‘Diddy and Ludo are such popular and charismatic ponies that we wanted everyone to be able to meet them. Our visitor centre is free to visit and open daily throughout the summer holidays.

‘We’re also holding our annual open day on August 7 which is packed full of displays and demonstrations by our ponies and grooms, lots of stalls and games and is always great fun.

‘It’s the perfect time to come and see Diddy and Ludo and find out why we all love them so much.’