The keeper of a horse once badly beaten and dumped in a gateway is encouraging more riders to consider rehoming from a charity, describing the experience of transforming her rescued Friesian mare into a dressage winner as “priceless”.
‘Millie’ was taken in by Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary in Essex 30 years ago. She and her dam had been purchased by a dealer at Southall Meat Market in 1995, but the pair were so badly beaten in order to get them on to the lorry to leave the market that her mother died on the ramp.
The foal was dumped at the sanctuary’s gates and, as Millie was not weaned, she had to be bottle fed by staff.
A few years later, during a family day out to one of the sanctuary’s open days, Bridie James — aged 18 at the time — spotted four-year-old Millie in a field and “fell in love instantly”.
They went on to compete in all activities, including jumping and winning British Dressage points. The mare is now 30 and retired, and will live out the rest of her days with Bridie and her family.
‘I questioned my sanity’
When the pair first met, Bridie said the mare “was covered in scars across her chest and generally wild and woolly. She was unhandled and unbroken and, if I am honest, a little unruly.
“In the first two weeks of having her at home, she tried to jump the stable door three times, broke countless lead ropes, dragged my mother through a bush — my mum to this day still tells the story of how she would not let go of her — and I questioned my sanity countless times.”
However, Bridie persevered and with time, love and patience, Millie blossomed into a successful riding horse.
“We did everything together. She was fun, she loved to jump and adored cross-country,” continued Bridie.
“As we both got older (and less brave), we turned our hand to British Dressage. She has points and I remember one event cantering down the centre line, our test could not have gone better and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. I was just so proud of her.
“My rescue-horse-turned-dressage-superstar. She always gave her everything and tried her heart out for me, and I spoiled her rotten in return.”
Horse of a lifetime
Millie is very gentle by nature and would quietly walk around the arena with Bridie’s small children on board.
The veteran mare now lives with a fellow rescued equine, a Welsh section A pony called Rhona.
“I love taking care of her in her old age. Even if it means getting up at 5:30am and poo picking by torchlight in the winter.
“She is just as cheeky as she was as a four-year-old. We both have more grey hair and she gets grumpy when you put on and take her rugs off, which makes me giggle, but we have grown older together and she will stay with me until she takes her last breath.
“I know I will never have a horse like her in my lifetime again.”
‘We achieved more than I thought was possible’
Every animal Bridie has owned has been rescued. She has also taken in three dogs, two cats and four guinea pigs.
“I rescue because I never want that animal to suffer again. Every day they get further and further away from the pain and cruelty that they have previously endured,” explained Bridie.
“The pride I feel, even just looking at Millie, knowing that together we achieved more than I ever thought was possible is immense. I know that until her dying day, no one will ever hurt her again.
‘The rewards are endless’
“Rescued horses do ask for a little more time and understanding on occasions, but that takes skill and patience and holding her own in a class of warmbloods — priceless.
“There are so many horses and ponies in various rescue centres and sanctuaries, all across the country, looking for loving homes. They all have something to offer.
“I love watching my rescued pair gobble up breakfast, warm and toasty, happy, peaceful and enjoying life. Every animal deserves a second chance. Be the person that takes a chance.
“Trust me, the rewards are endless.”
Images © Bridie James.
