Horse Trader

Two horses were saved by a horse rescue trust after their owner died. Sussex Horse Rescue, which is based in Uckfield, helped to save the horses after their owner was found lying in a field.

Police were called to the scene by ambulance colleagues on the 23rd January at around 2:00pm. The body of a man, who was later identified as John Chesher, 66, was discovered in a field. It is believed that he may have died whilst trying to rescue one of his horses. “We are not treating his death as suspicious and early indications are he may have collapsed and died trying to free his horse entangled in barbed wire.

The horse was freed and is uninjured,” a police spokesman said. Mr Chesher’s daughter-in-law, Natasha Chesher, contacted Pauline Grant of Sussex Horse Rescue shortly afterwards, pleading for two other horses to be taken away as she was unable to cope with looking after them. She told Pauline that she was unable to care for the horses due to living a distance away and being pregnant.

Pauline then sent her son, Daniel, to pick up the horses, a 12.2hh, 11-year-old Welsh gelding and a 14.2hh, nine-year-old New Forest/Hackney mare, in the Horse Rescue horsebox on the same day. The horse that was freed from the barbed wire is believed to be being cared for by Mr Chesher’s widow in Southwick. “When we take horses on it’s really important that people who pass them on to us have the legal right to do so.

We checked this one out and we are happy all seems in order,” said Pauline. Sussex Horse Rescue currently has 104 horses in its care, a number which has risen from 75 and left the trust in need of winter volunteers. Pauline said: “People like working here in the summer but it’s harder to find help in the cold weather. “We’d be thrilled to hear from anyone who has a bit of time to spare – it need only be a few hours.” Pauline also accepts donated rugs, tack and feed. Those interested in helping can contact her on 01825 762010.