‘Miracle’ Briercliffe rescue horse Bertie set to parade in 2012 Equifest (From Lancashire Telegraph)

‘Miracle’ Briercliffe rescue horse Bertie set to parade in 2012 Equifest

4:00pm Friday 25th May 2012 in Briercliffe By Chris Adams

A HORSE that was badly injured in a dog attack has made a full recovery and is set to take part in a prestigious equestrian event in August.

Bertie was taken in by the Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) when he collapsed after the attack in November 2008.

Now he will leave his stables at Shores Hey Farm, Black House Lane, Briercliffe, to compete in the 2012 Equifest, a four-day extravaganza taking place between August 16 and 19 in Peterborough.

Bertie will be entered into the special Rescue Story class and his groom, Jeanette Orrell, is delighted with his progress.

She said: “I can’t believe how well Bertie has recovered.

“He truly is a star in the making and I think he will be the most handsome horse there.”

Along with his mother, Kiwi, Bertie was found emaciated and undernourished with infected wounds at a farm in Whalley.

His condition was so severe that putting him down was considered.

Staff worked around the clock to keep Bertie alive, administering antibiotics and lifting him into slings and then helping him back out of the slings to allow him to rest.

This treatment continued for several weeks as gradually he began to recover.

A spokesman for HAPPA said: “It is nothing short of a miracle that Bertie has now made a full recovery, largely due to the dedication of our rescue centre staff.”

HAPPA is now raising £5,000 to cover his special trip to Equifest, his vet bills, and equipment.

Anyone interested in donating to HAPPA should contact Julie Rickwood-Gan on 01282 455992.