Monday, October 18, 2010

Great Britain: Famous horse April Airs retires to Norfolk


Liz Hall with April Ayers at halls wood
sanctuary; Photo: Jerry Daws

Eveningnews24.co.uk - Full Article

Matthew Sparkes Friday, 15 October, 2010

A once-famous endurance racehorse has been discovered at a sanctuary outside Norwich in a condition a world away from her heyday.

April Airs, a 26-year-old Anglo-Arab, had been a respected horse competing in long-distance events of up to 75 miles in the 90s.

A book on endurance horse riding published in 1996 by a previous owner, Claire Wilde, was also dedicated to her with the message: “To April Airs, the horse of a lifetime”.

But she was sent to Hallswood Animal Sanctuary in Stratton Strawless, near Norwich, when later owners could no longer care for her.

Although they had treated her well she was underweight and had only a third of her teeth left, so found it hard to process food. She is currently being fed soup so that she does not have to chew.

Liz Hall, owner of the sanctuary, only discovered her unique past when she noticed her markings and looked up her history.

Now her keepers are keen to find out how such an animal ended up in care.

Mrs Hall said: “She had a very fruitful life; she was a very respected endurance horse, very well bred...

Read more here:
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/famous_horse_april_airs_retires_to_norfolk_1_682225

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