Frome woman nurses horse back to health and happiness

A LOCAL woman has been praised by a national charity for her efforts rehoming and rehabilitating a rescue horse.

World Horse Welfare celebrated the achievements of Frome resident Heather Turner after she took on rescue horse Lancer, who was found ill and terrified of people in 2013. The horse is now happy and healthy and the charity is telling Heather’s story as part of its ‘Rehome a Horse Month’.

Heather took on Lancer after losing one of her own horses. She said, “I don’t buy and sell my horses, they become my best friends so a rescue horse was absolutely ideal for me. Lancer was a very frightened four year-old when he arrived and found it difficult to trust any human or have his ears or poll touched.

“Two years on he is so much more confident and has grown up both physically and mentally. He loves having his ears scratched, enjoys a good groom and we are the best of friends.”

Lancer was part of a large welfare case involving over 60 horses found in squalid conditions three years ago. He was largely unhandled and terrified of human contact and needed desperate hoof care and veterinary care for parasites.

“We’ve taught him to wear a saddle, be lunged and also to go backwards when asked,” Heather continued. “He is very affectionate but because of his difficult past we have to take everything very slowly and gently.

“I’d definitely recommend rehoming to anyone, particularly if you are looking for a long-term equine partner. It is very rewarding and satisfying to know that you have helped a horse that has had a difficult start in life and to also have the full reassurance that if anything happened to you that World Horse Welfare would find another loving home for him.”

World Horse Welfare marked another record-breaking year for rehoming in 2015, with 320 horses and ponies finding loving new homes across the country. Find out more about the charity online at rehoming.worldhorsewelfare.org