Annie has Launched Cherry Horse Welfare International
Former international athlete Annie Connolly was in Romania on a project relating to dogs. She was being driven around Chernavoda and what struck her was the amount of horses on the roads.
They were skinny, there were suffering, they had new sores, old sores, they were working hard. It led Annie to ask the vets what the situation was regarding these horses. She was not expecting the answer she received … horses are machines, they work the land, they provide transport and that's how they are considered.
"They are not pets, they are not considered living breathing souls who require care. Some are not even fed." In one area there is an estimated 20,000 horses and only 1 equine vet. An astonishing statistic.
"We pulled up at a level crossing waiting for a train to go past and next to me was a horse and cart. Skinny, boney, and bleeding, he was directly next to me he had a makeshift bit in his mouth."
"I knew in that very moment this was my purpose, that is what I am here for. I need to help these horses that have no one. No rights, no help no consideration. We need to help them and that's my mission. My overwhelming, over riding mission and purpose."
"I don't judge or blame the owners they are themselves living a tough life they are a consequence of an ex-communist country which to some degree is still developing. A poor country, yes, certainly with some inherent cruelty issues. I believe they will accept our help."
Annie certainly took on a project. She bought a thoroughbred mare and named her Cherry she was an ex-racer and was totally "over horsed."
"Cherry hadn't had a great life; she had been a race horse and a pretty good one as far as I can see. She had a couple of injuries which indicated she had a reasonably bad accident at some point, maybe this ended her career…something I will never know."
"What I do know is, the race yard bred from her, she produced a colt and she was immediately put into the sales, still lactating. The sales are a difficult place for a horse, noisy and scary and their fate…. well who knows."
"With her head in my arms in her final moments I apologised she had ever suffered at the hands of humans and I will do all I can to help other horses".
Cherry was bought in the sales by a wonderful girl who saw this pretty mare shaking in the corner all tucked up and not at all happy. She hadn't been bid on; ex racers are not particularly desirable. She would likely end up going for meat.
Annie's friend bartered after the sale finished and ended up taking Cherry home and saved her from a death totally unimaginable.
"I knew as a horse she was too much for me, but her kind eye her beautiful face won me over and I knew together we would grow and teach each other."
Cherry was a very insecure mare who had so much love to give but was very nervous. So many times, Annie was advised to have her shot. So many people told her she was dangerous, and she would end up killing her.
"Every day I spent hours with her, just being with her, she trusted she was mine and was going to be with me forever. I think she felt secure, loved, she trusted me, and I trusted her."
"We developed a bond better than anything I could have ever imagined. She truly was my best friend I literally trusted her with my life, and she trusted me with hers, we had so many hours of fun… she got me better and made me a better person."
After many wonderful years together, Cherry passed away too early. A day Annie will never ever forget.
The most unnatural thing in the world is to call time on a life you love and cherish, but she was suffering and there wasn't anything that could be done for her. She fought for her life but to no avail.
She had suffered, she was loving and a saviour in her own way, Annie feels Cherry was sent here to save her, and they saved each other.
Now Annie is fulfilling the promise she made to Cherry as she whispered goodbye to her, with her head in her arms. In Cherry's final moments Annie apologised that she had ever suffered at the hands of humans and she will do all she can to help other horses.
"So, Cherry anything and everything I do for race horses and working horses from this day forward is for you, in your name. I love you and I am grateful for every lesson you have taught me."
