A MINIATURE pony is joining a donkey on a marathon 100-mile trek to help raise funds for a North-East equine centre.

Shetland pony Scotch and donkey Barley are taking their their owners, Tiggy Bays-Griffiths and Chelsey Bailey, on the first sponsored trek of its kind around East Anglia, in aid of RSPCA Felledge Equine Centre, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham

The seven-day challenge began in Needham Market today (Friday, August 8) and ends at the huge Equifest show at the Peterborough Showground on Thursday (August 14), when the weary foursome will parade around the show arena, before having a well-earned rest.

Tiggy was inspired to undertake the challenge after she re-homed Scotch from RSPCA Felledge two years ago.

Scotch was among 15 ponies found dumped by a railway - one of the ponies was killed by a train and another two had to be put to sleep because their injuries.

Tiggy heard about Scotch from an RSPCA inspector, who knew that she had been looking for a very special miniature Shetland to join her carriage driving team.

Scotch met all the criteria, including being a skewbald gelding measuring barely 30in.

Tiggy said: “I was so impressed with how Scotch had been cared for and how helpful the Felledge Equine Centre staff were that I just wanted to do something to help the RSPCA rehome more horses and to raise awareness of the scale of the horse crisis being faced by the country.”

Chelsey joined the trek with her donkey Barley and both owners sought veterinary advice before embarking on their trekking training.

Full vet checks will be carried out during the challenge and the pair consulted with the Endurance Society for advice on a training plan.

Tiggy said: “We also have two back up animals, just in case Barley or Scotch aren’t quite up to the trek.”

The RSPCA and other equine welfare charities estimate that about 6,500 horses are at risk across England and Wales due to rising feed prices and a market in which horses can be sold for as little as £5.

The RSPCA has more than 700 horses in its care and desperately needs new homes for them.

To find out how to support the Funamble, visit http://choices.rspca.org.uk/felledge-funamble or text ‘RSPCA1’ followed by £3 to 70111 to support the Funamble (texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).