New friend found for bereaved horse

The team at The Blue Cross 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 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.

“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!”

The Blue Cross offers healthcare packages as an incentive for those willing to adopt a companion horse or pony from the charity.

For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/horses or phone 01993 822454.