A TEENAGER who owns a miniature Shetland pony with dwarfism – making him the size of a large dog – has penned a book inspired by her pet.

Hannah Russell, 17, from Leyburn, bought her tiny Shetland pony Little Alf in December last year after falling in love with him when she found him for sale in a field near her home.

“He was just so tiny, a little fluffy thing - I couldn’t not have him,” she said.

“I have been riding since I was four and had my own horses since I was six so I’ve always loved riding and being around horses.

“My mum has miniature Shetlands and had started looking for one of my own when I found Alf.”

Little Alf - who measures in at 28 inches, or roughly the size of a greyhound - inspired Hannah to write a children’s story about her tiny pet, and a girl who discovers a wild pony and befriends him.

She said: “It all started from a blog I write about Little Alf’s adventures, and lots of the people who follow it said I should write a book about him.

“I was originally going to write it just for myself but again the blog readers wanted to read it so I decided to get it published."

A share of the proceeds from the book will go towards the charity Riding for the Disabled.

Hannah said: “The charity does so much to help with confidence and movement for the disabled riders so I wanted to support them.”

She has already planned a further five books to complete the series about Little Alf, and the pair are filling their diary with appearances at horse shows next year.

“We will be at Countryside Live next month and next year we have been invited to the Royal Horse Show so I’m sure Alf will make lots of new fans there," said Hannah.

“He is such a character and gets up to all sorts of things - he has even come into the house once when my parents were out.

“Alf is so different to other horses as he much prefers human company – he is really special.”

The Magical Adventure of Little Alf – the Discovery of the Wild Pony is available priced £8.99 from littlealf.com or the Quaint and Quirky shop in Railway Street, Leyburn.

Readers can also follow the adventures of Little Alf at his blog www.littlealf.com