Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Welfare Bazaar, continues her column

THERE is an organisation in the Netherlands which fulfils wishes for very ill people.

One woman, who had previously been an accomplished horse rider, longed for a last ride on a horse. Their video shows her, very ill and very gently, riding on her stretcher on the backs of two horses in a special carriage. It must have been wonderful for her to get that sense and smell of being with horses again.

Last year, I had a wonderful afternoon getting a similar taste of the equestrian world at the Blue Cross horse rehoming centre at Burford.

Blue Cross currently has more than 60 horses needing a home.

Although it’s not cheap, it’s not impossible to look after a horse and live in London.

One of the benefits of getting a horse from Blue Cross is that they operate a monitored loan scheme. This means that although you are responsible for looking after the horse and pay for its keep, Blue Cross retains ownership of the horse. Advantages of this scheme include that Blue Cross offers to help if you have any issues with the horse and if your circumstances change you can return the horse to them.

All horses are individually matched to applicants.

George and Trixie are currently at Burford waiting for a home.

At two years old, Trixie is a youngster.

She is a sweet-natured young mare who has lots of growing to do. Since arriving at Blue Cross from the RSPCA she has received lots of handling and training so is now good to handle for her age.

She is inquisitive and should make a lovely riding or driving pony in the future (but not just yet).

As she is still young, she needs an experienced home where ground work can continue to prepare her for backing.

George is 13 years old and can no longer be ridden so is looking for a home as a companion horse.

He gets on well with other horses.

He loves people and is always first to the gate in the morning to say ‘hello’.

If you are interested in the long-term borrowing of these or other horses from Blue Cross, call 0300 777 1570 or see bluecross. org.uk.

The horse unit is expecting the birth of several foals at Christmas.

If you can contribute towards a foaling camera to help them, see the Burford Horse Unit Appeal Justgiving site.

HOMES NEEDED: Trixie (left) and George (above)