Harry the horse is champion just months after surgery

A COUPLE are full of pride after their horse was crowned champion at the Henley Farm and Country Show just months after life-saving surgery.

Bruce and Diane Honey, from Dunsden, said it was particularly emotional watching Mileaway Prince Harry compete at the show having been told at one point that he might have to be put down.

The 15-year-old shire was crowned the champion heavy horse at the show as well as winning best gelding over four years old, shown by Rhiannon Fairweather, the heavy horse young handler class with Lauren Usher and ridden heavy horse class, ridden by Diane

It was Harry’s third time competing at the show but this looked unlikely back on February 12 when he needed emergency colic surgery for pain in his abdomen.

Diane had ridden him that morning and he appeared to be fine when she turned him back out to his field.

However, in the late afternoon the couple received a message saying that Harry wouldn’t get up for his teatime hay ration.

Bruce rushed to the field and managed to get the horse on his feet while a vet was called out.

The couple realised Harry’s condition was serious when the vet using a stethoscope could not hear any gut noises, which suggested there was a blockage in the horse’s digestive system.

Harry was put on a lorry and driven to Donnington Grove Equine Hospital, near Newbury, where the surgical team was ready and waiting for him.

Diane said: “The surgical team contacted us at midnight to let us know they had removed a fist-sized lipoma from around Harry’s small intestine but they had not needed to cut out any of the intestine and that he was in recovery.

“He came home three days later and went to Chalkhouse Green Farm to convalesce.

“He was confined to a stable for the first month and then a stable and small paddock for a further month before returning to his own field.”

Bruce said: “There were lots of ups and downs and we were told at one point that we might have to put him down. He had a massive road to recovery to get him to the stage he is now. We’re very proud — he has come a long way.”

He said the vet who initially treated Harry recently returned to carry out some dental work and was pleased to see how well he was doing.

Bruce said: “We told him about the show and the hospital want us to send them a picture of Harry with all his trophies.

“It’s nice because most vets, like doctors, only really hear about things when they go wrong so it’s nice for them to get an update.”

The couple said they could not have managed Harry’s recovery without the help of friends such as Nicky Craig, who meticulously cared for the horse while he was on box rest.