Getting back in the saddle
Annie Connolly, 43, Godalming
When I heard about Cherry, no one else wanted her. A thin, flighty horse, she’d been rescued by a friend from a market, where she was being sold for meat.
Impulsive as it sounds, I agreed to take her.
You see, I’d been having a hard time, too.
It was 2013 and I’d been suffering from fatigue, hair loss, and my fingertips had been splitting. Over time, the doctors
diagnosed me as having an autoimmune condition, Hashimoto disease.
But spending time with Cherry got me out of bed.
When she broke her leg, I’d keep her company, no matter how dodgy my own health was.
My desire to see her was greater than my tiredness.
As Cherry grew stronger, so did I and soon I could ride her – it was amazing.
She was more than a horse to me – she was a soulmate and I know she felt that connection with me, too.
Then, in 2018, sadly Cherry became unwell.
‘I’m so grateful for you,’ I whispered to her as she slipped away.
Afterwards, I set up my charity Cherry Horse Welfare International.
I made a promise to Cherry that I’d help other neglected horses, and I’ll keep it.