When Breeze the foal was abandoned by his mother just hours after birth, his future looked uncertain.
Luckily, he was found by compassionate farmers who brought him to The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Upcott Park, Holsworthy, in North Devon.
To help him feel safe and supported, the sanctuary gifted Breeze a large teddy bear named Buttons, who quickly became a comforting surrogate “mother.”
Since their first meeting in 2013, Breeze and Buttons have been inseparable. Every night, Breeze would snuggle up to the oversized teddy, finding the warmth and companionship he would have received from his mother.
Pictures of the pair’s bond captured the hearts of people around the world, with a video of Breeze and Buttons going viral, amassing over two and a half million views.
As Breeze grew older, he blossomed under the care of sanctuary staff. Tracey Dixon, yard manager at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, credits Breeze’s progress to consistent training and the sanctuary’s supportive environment.
“He’s really thriving in the open spaces of north Devon,” she shared, adding that Breeze now enjoys the company of other young horses and spends hours playing within his herd.
Despite his growth, Breeze remains close to his loyal friend, Buttons. Though he has outgrown his teddy bear “mom,” the bond between them hasn’t faded.
The sanctuary recently shared new pictures of Breeze and Buttons, showing that while Breeze may be bigger, he still finds comfort in his childhood companion.
The heartwarming story of Breeze and Buttons has resonated with many, and the sanctuary hopes to feature Breeze in a new calendar photo shoot to support their work.
“We couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come,” Dixon added, reflecting on Breeze’s journey from an abandoned foal to a thriving young horse.
As Breeze continues to mature, the sanctuary plans to eventually find him a permanent home. But one thing is certain – Buttons will always hold a special place in his heart as the teddy bear that gave him a second chance at life.
