Arab horse community rallies round after fire
The owner of four Arab horses killed in a stable fire has told H&H she is “overwhelmed by the generosity” of the Arab breeding community.
Members of the arabianlines.com website have rallied round to raise money to help Vicki Marsh of Bolton, Greater Manchester, rebuild her yard.
Ms Marsh lost 2002 Horse of the Year Show Arab ridden champion Johara El Kheil, seven-year-old mare Halanah and her five-month-old foal Halli, and 10-month-old filly Diva in the blaze at Al Karif Arabian stud in Prestolee, near Bolton, on 23 February.
Arab Horse Society panel judge Sue Bundy has offered to auction a covering from her stallion AV Montoya to raise money for Ms Marsh and Leigh and District Horse and Pony Club is holding a show on 22 March for her benefit.
Mrs Bundy said: “It has to be the worst scenario possible for your horses to be burned alive.”
Greater Manchester police and the fire and rescue service have launched a joint investigation. They believe arsonists torched a caravan next to the wooden stable yard.
Neighbours broke down the rear wall of the stable block and managed to rescue Halli’s dam Enigma, another mare Heidi and her colt Poseidon.
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“Poseidon’s coat is a bit crisp and he had a swollen eye. but he’s OK,” said Ms Marsh.
“Enigma is fine, but Heidi has burns on her neck and can’t bend down to her water bucket at the moment.”
Tel: Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 5740.
For information about the show visit leighanddistrict.co.uk
This article was first published in Horse & Hound (5 March, ’09)
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.