LOCAL charity The Horse Trust is looking for a home for Bess, an affectionate mare who was found abandoned on Boxing Day.

Homes are sought in Oxfordshire, or the surrounding counties.

Bess, a 12hh black mare, was found abandoned in a snow-covered field last year.

The Horse Trust has been looking after Bess over the past few months and is now hoping to find her a loving home.

When Bess arrived she was a bit nervous, but is now happy being groomed and handled, and loves being fussed over.

She is a very sweet-natured mare and needs a companion home where she won’t be ridden.

Bess is happier in the open air than in a stable, so the ideal home for her would be somewhere where she can live out in the fields most of the year round.

The Horse Trust launched its re-homing scheme last year, focussing on retired, unridden horses from any background.

Since launching the scheme, we have had many requests from people who can no longer look after their horse. But, fewer people have come forward to offer a home for retired horses.

We urgently need more homes for horses like Bess, and by offering a home, you will be giving an older horse, who may have had a difficult life, a secure and happy retirement.

All horses and potential homes are visited to assess their suitability and the charity regularly visits the re-homed horse to ensure it is receiving an appropriate standard of care.

To offer a home to Bess or another retired horse, contact The Horse Trust on 01494 488 464 or info@horsetrust.org.uk Liane Crowther, The Horse Trust, Buckinghamshire