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Mickey Marley’s old horse found close to death

By Lesley-Anne Henry
Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Marley, named after his former owner, was found in Mallusk

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Starving, exhausted and utterly abandoned, it’s hard to believe this emaciated horse was once the pride of Belfast.

‘Marley’, named after his former owner Mickey Marley, who entertained generations of children in Belfast city centre with his mobile roundabout, was rescued from rain-drenched bogland on the outskirts of Belfast recently.

The horse, thought to be more than 30-years-old was found at Hydepark Lane in Mallusk and is one of the worst cases of malnutrition that animal welfare workers have ever seen. His teeth are ground so far down he can no longer eat and rescuers were told he had been simply left to die.

Lyn Friel, founder of the Crosskeenan Lane Animal Sanctuary, said help arrived just in time.

“He wouldn’t have lasted another night in the field. It is touch and go from day to day with him. We are here to feed him, to groom him, to clean him and to treat him, but it is up to the horse whether or not he wants to live.

“He was obviously starving because there was no grind left in his teeth which meant he was unable to eat the grass,” she said.

Children’s entertainer Mickey Marley, who died in 2005, was immortalised in a song by folk group Barnbrack. His horse-drawn roundabout was so popular that even former Northern Ireland Prime Minister James Callaghan asked his driver to stop so he could meet him. The old roundabout is now at the Ulster Folk Museum.

Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary chairman Janice Watt added: “Our volunteers could not have been prepared for the shocking sight that met them when they eventually found the horse soaked through, wandering aimless on bog land — he is a walking skeleton — quite literally. We are amazed that he has managed to survive, so poor is his condition. We have picked up some emaciated horses in our time but nothing that even comes close to this. After some discussion about what was the best thing to do for the horse — should we end his suffering and have him put to sleep immediately, or should we assess him at the sanctuary and make our decision based on what we observed? — we decided on the latter, mainly because he was so bright in himself. He really made the decision for us.

“We have been astounded by this old boy’s determination to live and are doing our utmost to make sure he has the best chance of recovery. He has a lovely deep, warm, clean bed and gets small warm mashes fed to him every two hours morning and night to gradually re-acquaint his body to food.

“I am sure Mickey Marley would turn in his grave to know his once doted-on horse and companion was left to die in such a heartless way.”

The problem of unwanted horses is becoming more common. There are currently 34 ill-treated horses at Crosskeenan Lane. Staff are putting it down to ignorance rather than intentional cruelty.

Said Janice Watt: “As the only equine welfare organisation currently operating in Northern Ireland we are bombarded with welfare cases on a daily basis.”

Welfare workers are working with the police to try and trace Marley’s owners.

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I acctully saw the roundabout in the ulster folk park :)

Posted by Leanne | 26.08.09, 02:15 GMT

It is a total disgace that this old horse has been left to wander and ultimately die. I hope that he pulls through, and lives the rest of his life in comfort. I hope his owners are found, and prosecuted for thier mistreatment of the animal.

Posted by Karen | 21.08.08, 14:37 GMT

As a child I remember Mickey Marley and his roundabout. A penny a ride, and if you didn't have the penny he would give you a ride anyway!! I also remember feeding the horse carrots. But I am sure it must have been another animal, as my memories are more than 30 years old.

Posted by Maggie | 14.08.08, 19:34 GMT

Mickey Marley's Roundabout is at the Ulster Folk Museum. Why didn't they also take the horse and care for it? Shame.

Posted by Hilary | 13.08.08, 18:54 GMT

I am delighted Crosskeenan Lane have rescued this horse, who with his original owner, gave so much to the children of Belfast. What a disgraceful way for anyone to treat an animal. I do hope he fully recovers, and that someone will want to take him to their land, to live out his life.

Posted by June | 13.08.08, 12:36 GMT

how cruel i never understand if people cant cope why they dont ring for help,unless its a case od they can afford but cant be bothered,im so glad we have an equine welfare association,hopefully this horse will have a happy ending as it deserves.

Posted by mags Robinson | 13.08.08, 08:37 GMT

I think its a disgrace the way this poor horse has been treated What kind of people would do this to an animal .They should be horse whipped or maybe thats too good for them.A debt of grattitude is owed to the people who rescued it .

Posted by hazel | 12.08.08, 17:33 GMT

Another animal cruelty case and still there just doesn't seem to be a punishment available to the courts to discourage this sort of thing. Naming and shaming is all very well but what if they have no shame? Then what can we do?

Posted by Colin | 12.08.08, 13:49 GMT

Whoever left this poor animal to starve should be given a jail sentence. I can remember the house and Mickey's roundabout in High St when I was growing up. I hope the horse gets better and is able to live the rest of it's life without someone who will look after it.

Posted by Raki-Diva | 12.08.08, 12:37 GMT

I remember Mickey Marley's Roundabout in Belfast Town Centre When I was a child! I used to be scared of it lol!!! But I must say the poor horse, god love it! I hate people who mistreat animals. They should be named and shamed because it is an absolute disgrace! In today's society you would think there would be a thing called Respect for your environment and the things in it! Obviously NOT!!!

Posted by TD | 12.08.08, 11:35 GMT

That story has brought a tear to my eye. I hope and pray that the horse pulls through. I admire the Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary for all the work they are doing. I sincerely hope that Marley's owners are found and prosecuted for leaving this poor horse in a despicable state.

Posted by Karen | 12.08.08, 10:35 GMT

Surely a horse/pony should be registered to a particular owner these days? Firstly, we should find the owner and have him/her prosecuted and shamed, if only to set an example to other brain-dead idiots like them. I really hope he pulls through and would encourage people to donate something to Crosskeenan to help with caring for these horses. I certainly will.

Posted by R Peters | 12.08.08, 09:45 GMT