Flag Farm’s Sophie, this blind pony is a farm favourite

Flag Animal Farm hosts a magical menagerie of creatures and critters, and a favourite of all who visit is Sophie the Pony.

Sophie is a 41-year-old white pony who has been an integral member of the Flag family for the last 8 years.

Having already exceeded the average age for ponies, Sophie is well into her dotage.

She is completely blind, but otherwise fully recovered from the physical abuse that put her on a path to the farm.

“She was struggling to survive when she arrived, but we have since turned her life around and she is now one of the most social animals we have,” says Flag Animal Farm owner Genevieve Chisholm.

Having spent so much time at the Farm, Sophie has now mapped out her area and is able to move freely without assistance.

“If there are any new buildings, or even soil erosion in her paddock, she may get confused so we take her to smell the new area and she adds it to her mental map,” said Chisholm.

Loss of vision aside, Sophie seems young at heart and ready to play with the many kids that come through the door daily.

“She is often dressed up as a unicorn, and is so gentle that even children who are slightly nervous can go and stroke her,” said Chisholm.

Lockdown saw Sophie spending a lot of her days sleeping, and the staff were worried that loneliness may be getting to her after so much attention.

Since the doors have reopened however, she has been back to her best and the staff are certain she has many good years left in her.