A PETERSFIELD woman has saved a horse from slaughter after reading of its plight on a website. Ali Eldridge discovered an online forum campaigning against French 'fattening farms' where horses are well fed before being shipped to Italy where their meat fetches a higher price. On reading about the plight of horses, veterinary nurse Ali, who works at the Archway Veterinary Practice in Petersfield, decided to act. She said: "I became aware of the rescue forum through the intelligent horsemanship website where several people had already rescued French horses. Many of the journey's the horses endure are in horrific conditions, with some horses collapsing on route only to be trodden on by the others through cramped conditions. "Even though there are supposed to be breaks for food, water and rest, many of these horses received nothing and many die on route." Ali rescued Chance, a French trotter who is not even three years old. She said: "Sadly, many of these beautiful horses end up in the food chain, their only crime being that they are not fast enough. "This lovely mare caught my eye one evening when I was looking at the list of horses, donkeys and mares and foals whose fate lay in Italy. There was something so sad but so elegant about her and I wanted to know if she had been saved." Ali added: "I paid the meat money sum of £670 for her and the transport back was £380 and was carried out by a fantastic horse transporter based in Southampton. His load back to the UK ranged from French trotters to donkeys and foals, all saved by caring horse lovers." Ali runs a livery yard near Petersfield where Chance will remain with her other horses. She said: "Despite having had a pretty horrific time at the fattening farm, she appeared to be well handled and easy to approach. She immediately settled into her stable and tucked straight into a large hay net." "There is no guarantee what condition the horses/ donkeys are in when you rescue them and I was aware that the risk of them being injured or having behavioural problems is there, but as with any rescue animal you just don't know what they have been through and what lasting damage, be it physical or mental they have. "I am just relieved that apart from her terrible body condition she seems otherwise healthy and relaxed in her new home."
