MEET Ann Mason and you will find her to be a level-headed Lancaster professional. Business-like, but open enough to cry freely whenever the subject of her her horse, Hays, creeps into the conversation. For Hays died in his prime seven weeks ago of a rare and debilitating foot illness called navicular. But now her real and intense grief has led to something positive, something she believes her beloved horse would have approved of. Because these days Ann campaigns for the plight of other horses much less fortunate than her own healthy and happy seven-year-old charge.

"That's what Hays would have wanted, that's what I get satisfaction from," explains Ann, "working for other horses."

Other horses like Josh, found in the region starving to death last year. Josh was so emaciated the police had to be called in. A vet found the animal was not only starving to death but suffering from a bad case of worms.

It is in that horse, and others like, that Ann hopes and believes can be touched with some of the happy spirit of Hays at the charity HAPPA - Horses and Ponies Protection Association.

But, still, Ann says she will never have another horse, despite the fact that horses have been in her family for many generations and have played a part in her own life for as long as she can remember.

She explained: "People who know about horses always say you find one that's special, one that stays with you. He was mine, he will never be replaced. People might think I'm soft, but you have to know just how intelligent these animals are."

Ann laughs when she thinks about someone else who loved Hays. "Sarah Robertson who runs the stables at Wildduck Hall has a bitch who had litter when Hays was on his last legs. They loved him and one in particular, Oliver, used to swing on his tail. Now I have him at my home here in Lancaster."

Ann Mason, along with HAPPA, helped raise £250 for the Appeal For Josh at a charity night last weekend. But they're still £250 short so Ann is organising a sponsored ride. Any one who can help with sponsorship should call Ann on 64661.

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