Page 27 - GOLIATH THE TALLEST HORSE IN THE WHOLE WORLD

CHAPTER 7

THE BIG ONE
It was now after 1995 and the lottery had happened and
we were very short of money. You can read all about that
in another story!
We had no paid helpers at all, volunteers were very thin
on the ground and Ruth helped me muck out 14 horses
before she went to work each morning. This particular
morning Golly had fallen, he told me he could help us get
him up and as Ruth bent down to slip the head collar
over his head, he lurched upwards and smacked Ruth
across the nose with his not unsubstantial head!

Ruth disappeared into the house with blood pouring forth
copiously just at the very moment that a young school
leaver arrived for work experience. She was a girl of
about 15 with her Mother, they were both quite shocked
to see the horse writhing on the floor and Ruth parting
quickly pouring blood all over. They did not even stay to
hear my explanation, obviously it was a mad house or
worse!!
I did get him up though with the help of a long rope and
building roof support close by.

Not long afterwards he did something similar late at night.
Neighbours were getting used to my requests for help at
odd hours and no one was about. Eventually all I could
do was telephone the Fire Service. The result of my
explaining the problem was three Fire engines and 18
Fire men including their officer. One Fire engine stayed to
assist. We tried all sorts, air bags, ropes on his head
collar but nothing would get him up. His legs had become
so stiff, they would not bend at all to help get himself up.