Pony Finds Stable Home In The Living Room

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Stephanie Noble came up with the idea to put up her beloved pony up in her house on the Isle of Lewis after a fallout with the people who were originally stabling the pony.

The row fell on Christmas Eve and, because of the holiday period, Grey Lady Too's Irish-born owner could not find replacement accommodation.

Ms Noble wrapped the animal in blankets to protect her against the cold for the night and tried to find alternative lodgings on Christmas Day.

After unsuccessful efforts, the animal lover instead decided to clear some furniture and convert part of her sitting room into a stable for the three-year-old pony.

To the consternation of her neighbours, she converted her front room by nailing planks in place to make a pen, bracing the ceiling tand using four dining room chairs as railings.

"This was the safest option," said Ms Noble.

"No one else will allow me to use their sheds or barns and I don't want her roaming free where she could damage property or hurt someone.

"I am hoping it's a temporary arrangement but who knows?

"I had arranged boarding for her a few miles along the road but they let me down."

She explained how she protected the property from the potential difficulties of having a pony in the house.

"Under the hay on the floor, I have put thick rubber mats and boards help spread her weight. They protect the floor.

"There is also a lot of cat litter to absorb any urine and other spillages. I do change the straw and disinfect every day."

The neighbours, however, are not happy.

"We are all shocked in the street that the environmental health or animal cruelty people have not intervened, even if it is Ms Noble's own home," said one neighbour.

Another said: "There are potentially serious health issues and I believe Western Isles Council is wrong to play softly-softly and is completely failing in its duty to the rest of us by allowing this farce to continue.

"She has been here for eight or nine years and has upset many people in that time."

Western Isles Council said it believed it was limited as to what it could do because the property was privately owned.

A spokesman said: "The council cannot comment on an individual case. However the council would not advise anyone to keep a horse in a domestic property."

The island's local authority has promised, however, that it will investigate any concerns regarding animal welfare or public health nuisance and act accordingly.

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