Odd NED fellows! Giant former show horse ‘Gunner’ retires to Shropshire farm to become best buddies with Steve the pint-sized Shetland pony
- Former show horse Gunner, 5ft 6ins recently retired to a sleepy Shropshire farm
- Tiny Shetland pony Steve, who stands at just 3ft, has taken him under his wing
- Pictures show the pair snuggling up and grazing together in the fields
A gigantic shire horse has struck up the most unlikely of little-and-large partnerships to become inseparable best pals – with a tiny little Shetland pony.
Former show horse Gunner has recently retired and is now winding down at a sleepy farm, where pint-sized pony Steve has taken him under his wing.
Since the pair met their relationship has gone from strength to strength and now they spend almost every waking hour side by side.
Former show horse Gunner has struck up an unlikely friendship with tiny Shetland pony Steve on their Shropshire farm
The duo make a comical partnership, with gigantic Gunner, who stands a whopping 5ft 6ins tall, towering over small Steve, who is just a little over 3ft
Brilliant pictures taken at the farm in Shropshire show them snuggling up to one and other and grazing fields shoulder to shoulder.
The duo make a comical partnership, with gigantic Gunner, who stands a whopping 5ft 6ins tall, towering over small Steve, who is just a little over 3ft.
Gunner is winding down after an illustrious career as a show horse attending events with brewer and hotelier, Daniel Thwaites PLC.
Gunner is winding down after an illustrious career as a show horse attending events, but was forced to retire early due to a recurring back problem he suffers from
He had to retire recently at the age of just seven, which should be his prime, due to a recurring back problem he suffers from.
Thwaites executive chairman Richard Bailey said: ‘Gunner is a kind natured horse and one of our largest Shires who won many people over through his appearances at shows and in our pubs and hotels.
‘Of course we’re very sad to see Gunner retire and move on but this story has a happy ending.’
Gunner’s owner Thwaites said: ‘Gunner is a kind natured horse and one of our largest Shires who won many people over through his appearances at shows and in our pubs and hotels’
Pictured: Gunner (left) and the rest of the Shire horses with Thwaites’ head horseman