A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) horse has retired to The Horse Trust’s Home of Rest for Horses after 15 years service.
18-year-old Snodgrass, a 17hh bay roan gelding with apaloosa markings on his quarters, was involved in high-profile police work such as patrolling crime hotspots and crowd control at football matches. In 1999, he helped with crowd control at Manchester United's homecoming parade after the team won a Treble - the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League Cup.
Chief Inspector Lynn Roby, Head of GMP Mounted Unit, said Snodgrass was one of the GMP's most reliable and best loved horses.
"Snodgrass is the sort of horse that takes everything in his stride - he is so laid back. Nothing phased him, even the Manchester United homecoming in 1999, which was the noisiest event a police horse could be involved in," said Chief Inspector Roby. "Everyone in the mounted unit adores him - we all went to say our goodbyes when he left and there were quite a few tears."
Snodgrass also featured in the Mounted Branch television series on Animal Planet channel and was used as a model for an art exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery last year - artist Gwon Osang used him as a model for a life-size sculpture. The exhibition, called 'Deodorant Type: Sculptures by Gwon Osang', was on display at the gallery from June to September 2008 and is now touring exhibitions round the world.
"We picked Snodgrass as we knew he could stand still long enough for the artist," said Chief Inspector Roby.
Snodgrass has been on a waiting list to retire at The Horse Trust for 18 months after problems with his foot meant he could no longer be ridden. The sanctuary has welcomed him in, even though they have temporarily closed their doors due to a drop in public donations during the credit crunch.
"We initially agreed to take Snodgrass in, but then he had problems with his foot, which meant he couldn't travel. We have had to close our doors to new horses temporarily, but didn't want to let Snodgrass down after his many years of loyal service to the Greater Manchester Police," said Paul Jepson, Chief Executive of The Horse Trust.
Chief Inspector Roby said she is delighted that Snodgrass will be able to spend the remaining years of his life in such a peaceful location, with access to 200 acres of paddocks.
"We want Snoddy to have a long and happy retirement at The Horse Trust - he really deserves it. I've visited The Home of Rest and knew it would be ideal for him. I would have carried him there
myself if he couldn't travel," said Chief Inspector Roby.
Paul Jepson said he was delighted The Horse Trust could offer Snodgrass a home. He also thanked the Greater Manchester Police Mounted Branch for their fundraising efforts - when the Mounted Branch gives public presentations about its work, it asks for any donations to be made to The Horse Trust.
The Horse Trust is currently making an urgent appeal for donations to enable it to re-open its doors to needy cases. Just £5 would enable the charity to feed a small horse for a week, while £17 would pay for all the costs of looking after a horse for a day, including feed, veterinary bills and farrier costs. To donate to the charity please click on the bucket of carrots.
