LONE JOURNEY BY HORSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 3

LONE JOURNEY BY HORSE

HANMER SPRINGS TO HEATHCOTE The remarkable intuition of a horse, which found its way back “home” to Heathcote after travelling nearly 100 miles, has aroused considerable interest among residents of the district. The horse, a nine-year-old mare, was bought by auction at Rangiora early in August by Mr H. M. Jarden, of Heathcote Valley, the seller being Mr F. Upston, of Cheviot, who had owned it for six years. Mr Jarden bought the mare for his brother, who has a milk delivery at Hanmer Springs, but, deciding that it was more convenient to have it at his own farm first, he sent the horse by rail to Heathcote. It was his intention, two weeks later, to truck the horse to Hanmer Springs, but there were school holidays at the time and his wife undertook to drive to Hanmer Springs, with their children, in a The horse was left at Hanmer Springs and Mr Jarden heard no more about it until last Thursday morning, when his brother telephoned to say it was missing. Mr Jarden immediately rang the former owner, Mr Upston, who expressed confidence that the horse would return to its old home at Cheviot. Mr Jarden also got in touch with a friend who lives on the Main North road at Woodend and made inquiries. The reply was: “Yes, I saw a horse trotting past here an hour ago, it looked as if it was on its way to Christchurch.” At 10 minutes to 8 on Friday morning the horse jogged up to Mr Jarden at Heathcote and nuzzled him. When sure it had found its former master the mare cantered around happily. “She stays at Heathcote Irom now on.’ said Mr Jarden.