Kiley & Badger

Launch Of A New Veteran Horse Charity Veteran Horse Welfare (VHW) is a unique charity dedicated to the welfare of the Older Horse or pony over the age of 15. It will be launched at the Midlands Equine Fair, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on 13 and 14 March 2004 in the breeds area. The charity will be based in Pembrokeshire and will be funding many rescue cases around the UK. Also it will be educating horse owner and carers on how to manage their veteran from feeding to exercise. It will have a dedicated team of staff both caring for horses and giving advice to those people who own or care for veterans. The VHW will also be funding private individuals who are in need of assistance with their veteran.

One of the Trustees of the organisation is Mrs Karen Goodliffe, who has many years of experience with veteran horses and has seen how many older horses suffer, due to either owners/carers ignorance or their incapability of looking after the older horse. Said Karen: "This charity is going to be invaluable to carers and owners of veteran horses. We hope now that we can help both individuals and organisations to expand their knowledge of the veteran and by working closely with organisations like the Veteran Horse Society."

One horse that is benefiting from the work of the charity is Grey Arab Little Boy Blue (known to his friends as Badger), who at 51 is officially the world's oldest horse.

Badger came to the VHS when his owner could no longer manage the costs of livery. He was not well, and on the morning of his trip to the VHS he had had colic. The journey to his new home was not a long one - just 40 miles - but such was his condition that the team took a steady pace, often dropping to just four miles an hour. He arrived three hours later.

Badger

To begin with he was fed four times a day, a little and often, on a strict timetable of 8.00am, 12 noon, 4.00pm and 10.00pm with a check at 2.00am every morning for his first week with the VHS. He received treatment for all four hooves.

His appetite picked up and he was slowly introduced to a correct feeding programme. He is now well on the road to a full recovery at the VHS Centre in Pembrokeshire, where he will be able to be met by the public when the doors open again in March.

While Badger is too old and frail to make it to the Midlands Equine Fair, three of his colleagues will be coming along to meet the crowds. The VHS national champion, Hudson Bay will be there. Hudson is a 30-year old Irish Draught cross. He will be joined by Ziggy, a 24-year old Welsh crossed saved from a riding school last year, and one other mystery horse!

Further information about VHW is available by sending a SAE to:

Veteran Horse Welfare
Hendre Fawr Farm
St. Dogmaels
Cardigan
North Pembrokeshire
SA43 3LZ,

or by calling 01239 881264.

Tickets and information regarding exhibition opportunities are available in advance from Contour Exhibitions & Events by calling 01884 841925, and advance booking discounts are available. Further information and on line booking are available by logging on at www.contour.uk.net.

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