The Blue Cross finds new friend for bereaved horse

PRESS RELEASE

18 January 2010

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.

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 charity’s 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 it’s 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 Cross’s sympathy and support in helping us through our crisis. Slinky’s 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 charity’s 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 charity’s 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 01993 822454.

ENDS

Photo of Slinky and Oscar attached.

The Blue Cross provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

The Blue Cross does not receive any government funding so it relies on fundraising and public donations to continue its vital work.  For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.  

Media contacts

Sarah Shephard, Bright Bay PR, 01986 784562 / 07768 958911

Laura Dobson, The Blue Cross press office, 020 7932 4065 / 07917 132 698