The Blue Cross finds new friend for bereaved horse

The Blue Cross animal charity leapt to the rescue recently when a tragic accident left a sociable horse without his field companion. The charity quickly found the perfect new friend for bereft Oscar and within ten days he and his new field mate Blue Cross Slinky were contentedly grazing nose to nose.

Trevor and Annie Cooper, from Henley-on-Thames in Buckinghamshire, contacted The Blue Cross equine welfare centre in Burford following the devastating loss of Rolly, one of their two adored horses, as a result of a freak accident in the field. Poor Oscar, a 30-year-old, 17.2hh retired hunter - who was previously owned by a member of the pop group Abba - was understandably distressed about suddenly being left on his own. His behaviour became totally out of character; he stood by the gate every day with his ears pricked alertly and called out frequently, waiting for his companion.

As herd animals, horses and ponies are usually highly sociable creatures and thrive on having company of their own kind. Trevor and Annie contacted The Blue Cross for help as a matter of urgency and the centre luckily thought they might have the perfect match in the form of Slinky, an 18-year-old retired, part-thoroughbred gelding.

Trevor and Annie spent some time at the centre getting to know Slinky. They were instantly taken with his kind nature and felt that he would get on very well with their gentle giant Oscar. The Coopers premises passed the charitys rigorous home check with flying colours and just a week later Slinky was settling into his new home in Buckinghamshire.

Within 24 hours Slinky was grazing nose to nose with Oscar and its as if he has been here forever, said Trevor. It was terrible to lose Rolly so tragically but we have been overwhelmed by The Blue Crosss sympathy and support in helping us through our crisis. Slinkys a dear boy and his arrival has cheered us all up immensely, especially Oscar. Now we are singing the praises of The Blue Cross to everyone we meet!

Slinky was homed as a non-ridden companion under The Blue Cross equine healthcare package which is sponsored by Fort Dodge. The scheme covers the costs of routine inoculations and an annual veterinary health check as well as providing wormers for a year. It is proving to be very effective in helping to secure loving homes for many of the charitys companion horses and ponies.

The Blue Cross would like to hear from those with the knowledge and the facilities to take on a companion horse or pony and give them a second chance in life. Anyone providing homes through the charitys monitored loan scheme will be provided with free annual vaccinations and a routine health and teeth check for each Blue Cross horse. For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/horses

or phone +44 1993 822454.

Many Irish charities are also doing fantastic work with abandoned horses. Please help where you can. See www.ihwt.ie or www.ispca.ie for more information.

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The Blue Cross finds new friend for bereaved horse

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