15 August 2006

Allergic horse beds down on court papers

A horse that is allergic to hay and straw dust has found a unique alternative for his bedding - shredded court papers.

Domino, a fifteen-year-old large white and black cob, fell ill when he was five and was diagnosed with an allergy to hay dust, tree and grass pollens and weeds. The horse had to use an inhaler every day as a result of the allergies.

Domino's owner, Kathy Pye, from Merseyside, tried a number of different alternatives, before turning to using shredded court papers.

Domino now settles down on a bed of shredded scrap paper donated by the community justice centre in north Liverpool and the magistrates' courts in St Helens and Knowsley.

Ms Pye, who works as a magistrate in Knowsley, said: "I was at the end of my tether as nothing seemed to work with Domino. When he took to eating specialised bedding, it was time to think laterally. I heard that the community justice centre and the other two courts recycled paper and I approached them for a donation."

Joan Porter, Community Engagement Manager at North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, said: "When Kathy asked us for the shredded paper we were happy to oblige as the paper was earmarked for normal recycling. It was a very unusual request, but one that addressed Domino's allergy and gave us a useful way of dealing with our waste paper. It's all part of the centre working with the community."

Domino is a very friendly horse and has formed a special bond with children whom he helps learn to ride.

(KMcA)