Retired pit pony ‘Pip’ died recently at the ripe old age of 35.

He worked 150 foot underground at Marley Colliery, Gateshead until it closed 30 years ago. The then five year old moved to Sacriston Colliery, Durham until it also closed in 1985.

After being retained for a further 12 months to help with salvage work Pip was then given to Beamish Open Air Museum where he lived and worked for 23 years until his death.

Jacki Winstanley of the Beamish Museum said that staff were upset by Pips death.

“We think he may have been the last surviving working pit pony in Britain”

In 1913 there were over 70,000 ponies working the mines in the UK. These figures dwindled to 55 by 1984.

Devon County Council is planning to invest £250,000 into creating new local riding networks as a way of boosting the rural economy of the area.

It is hoped that horse friendly bed and breakfasts, riding schools and camp sites will benefit from an increase in equestrian tourism.

The new circular horse riding routes will link bridlepaths, off road cycle routes and country lanes. Local land owners, horse riders and parish councils are being asked to assist the council by making suggestions.

The County Council hope to have the new networks set up by 2012.

Trial schemes are currently in effect in several areas including Tavistock.

Horses, ponies and donkeys can suffer from a variety of eye diseases including ulcers, fungal infections, swollen eye lids, blindness and cataracts.

It is important to have a vet check your horse if you suspect any kind of eye condition. Not only will the eye require attention but the symptoms can also be a sign of other serious medical problems.

Types of eye disease in horses include:

• Neoplasia of the Eyelids
• Corneal Ulceration
• Fungal Ulcers
• Corneal Abcesses
• Equine Cataracts
• Uveal Tract Disease
• Glaucoma
• Retinal Disease
• Sudden Blindness

Eye disease can be painful so it’s important to have a vet check your horse if you suspect any kind of eye condition. Not only will the eye require attention but the symptoms can also be a sign of other serious medical problems.

For the safety of the animal it is best to bring them into a stable or enclosed area whilst the problem is diagnosed and treated. Maybe provide a quiet companion to keep him company.

Treatment of equine eye conditions can include laser eye therapy, surgery or antibiotics.

Blind Horses

For many people, the biggest fear is that their horse could lose his sight. They assume that this brings an immediate death sentence for the animal. This need not necessarily be the case.
Before making a decision about having your horse put to sleep give him time to adjust to the darkness. You may just find that he adapts quickly to his new world.

Many horses that have gone blind adapt well to their disability and go on to lead long and happy lives.

If you’ve always wanted to commission a portrait of your horse but can’t afford it then you’ll be pleased to know that there is an alternative choice.

Just choose your favourite horse photographs then send them away to a photos to canvas company where they will be transformed into fantastic works of art.

Why not dig out those great pictures of you showjumping, doing dressage, cross country, beach riding or just having fun with your equines.

You just send your images off to the print company (usually in a .jpg format) and they will be enlarged then printed onto artist grade canvas using a high quality printer.

You can request special effects such as black and white, sepia or even colour splashes if you want to create an impact.

Any imperfections such as red eye and small blemishes will be removed and images will be cropped to ensure a perfect picture.

Photos on canvas look great when hung in any room in the house. Why not start your own gallery of your best equestrian moments?

Photos printed on canvas make brilliant gifts for your horse loving friends. They also make great prizes at horse shows and other equestrian events or why not just order one for yourself?

Two horses that have been trapped in deep snow for more than a week have finally been freed.
The horses had been abandoned by their owner in the Renshaw Mountains near McBride, British Columbia.

Volunteers worked in -30C temperatures to dig a kilometer long trench in the snow so that the animals could be rescued.

One of the horses has frostbite and the other has most of its tail missing. They are both seriously underweight but their condition is said to be stable and they are expected to recover.

Many residents of McBride have offered to give the horses a good home.

The current owner of the horses is expected to be charged with animal cruelty.