Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre

The EHCRC Foundation would like to inform all of our supporters that, sadly, Cookie has been put to sleep. The decision was made before Christmas by Cookie's vet and Co-Founders Sue and Rod Weeding.

Sadly, Cookie's condition was deteriorating to the point where nothing else could be done for her and they obviously wouldn't allow her to be in any pain.

However, Cookie has left a legacy that will help save other horses in the future; because of the friendship that has developed between EHCRC and the Benijofar Council since her rescue, the centre knows that if any other horse needs help in Benijofar, the Council will respond.

The EHCRC was initially contacted by Councillor Pat Taylor from Benijofar Council on Easter Saturday 2010, who informed the centre that there was a pony abandoned in terrible condition, and asking if they could help.

They immediately went out and brought Cookie back to the centre. She got her name on the way back in the trailer as she insisted standing up the whole way, despite her appalling condition; Sue Weeding, who was with her in the trailer, commented at the time "that's one tough little Cookie".

One of the first tasks was to cut large amounts of her coat off, as it was encased in her own faeces where she had obviously laid for months, too ill to stand. It took Sue and Justin – the UK representative who was working at the centre at the time – two days to clean her up and from there on, she received all the love, care and of course medical treatment that was necessary to ensure that she had a pain free and happy life at the centre.

Co-founder Sue Weeding said "I am sorry that we haven't announced the loss of Cookie before. However, at the time that Cookie was put to sleep our fantastic supporter, Solvi Jansen, was fighting a losing battle against cancer. Solvi was extremely attached to Cookie, and we didn't want to cause any further upset to Solvi, or her sister kate who was nursing her, during their own very difficult time. Cookie will always be in our hearts and will have a special place in our memorial garden."

Councillor Pat Taylor would like to pay her own tribute to Cookie, saying: "On Easter Saturday 2010, I received a call from the local police in Benijofar saying that a small horse had been found by the river and needed urgent help. I knew straight away who to call and that was what cemented the friendship between the PSOE in the Town Hall at the time and the Horse Care Centre.

"Cookie as she was named, had some awful injuries and problems but she was a fighter and came through one thing after another.
"Sue and I have kept in contact since then and with our then Mayor Daniel Padilla Villa we were invited back to the centre to see how Cookie was getting along.
"I often visit with a group of friends from Benijofar and we have lunch and search the shop for bargains ! But the most important thing is going round to see all the horses.
"When Sue phoned me to tell me the sad news that Cookie had died it was a very sad day, and although she had gone through so much in her life, it makes me feel better to know that for almost the last 3 years she had been looked after, cared for and loved by so many people at the centre and all the wellwishers that visited her.
"Making that call to Sue nearly 3 years ago saved Cookie´s life and gave her the love that she hadn´t known before. It´s a shame there are many more horses in the same position, the centre rescue as many as they can, and by visiting the centre or their shops we can all help to make a difference."

Read more of Cookie's story here.