Horse and rescuer reunited after many years apart

A RUNCORN care home resident has been reunited with a horse she rescued many years ago – having thought she’d never see her “Star” again.

Joyce Austin, 84, first discovered her equine friend in a field near her home, on Weaver Road, almost 10 years ago.

Having never seen the horse or his owner before, Joyce began bringing sacks of carrots for him to eat, which she purchased for 50p from a nearby shop.

After several weeks, she realised the owner was not coming back, and contacted a friend to help her find a suitable home for the horse, which she named Star.

Star moved to Spirit of the Herd, a not-for-profit horse and pony sanctuary near Helsby, Cheshire, and Joyce lost touch – believing she would not see him again.

When she moved to Simonsfield Care Home, on Boston Avenue, in January this year, she recalled fond memories of Star for fellow residents and staff.

The Sanctuary, however, discovered Joyce had moved to the care home and got in touch to see if she would like to visit.

After many years apart, she was reunited with Star, who was happy to be fed carrots by his rescuer once again.

Joyce said: “Thank you so much. I have really enjoyed my day. It was lovely to see how happy Star is with all his friends.”

Debbie Smith, home manager at Simonsfield Care Home, said: “I cannot thank the sanctuary enough.

“They are a non-for-profit organisations and look after these horses purely on donations.

“It was so good of them to take the time to track Joyce down, contact the home, and host us on a visit so Joyce could see Star again.

“Seeing them reunited was amazing and Joyce was beaming all the way back to the care home and for several days since.

“Hopefully we will be able to go back and see Star again in future, now we know where he lives.”

Saphron Woods, from Spirit of the Herd sanctuary, said: “We are so pleased we were able to reunite Joyce and Star.

“Star has been in our care for a few years in rehabilitation and is doing well.

“Seeing the two together was very special and we feel it helped heal both human and equine. We welcome Joyce to come and visit as often as she is able.”