What a mare

Chelmsford driver Gary Davies, has developed a colt following since helping a customer get a runaway horse off the road and out of danger.

Gary was on his way to Harwich in his van when he witnessed Mrs Natalie May struggling to calm a horse who was busy stirruping up trouble on the B1414 Harwich to Clacton Road.

Mrs May had been driving to a meeting when she saw the horse, which had broken through the fence surrounding its paddock, standing in the middle of the road opposite the Ye Olde Cherry Tree pub in Little Oakley.

After stopping her car, she tried to take hold of the terrified horse, but it refused to be led off the road into the pub car park.

‘Gary was the only person who stopped and helped. If it wasn’t for him there could have been a serious accident,’ said Mrs May.

‘He was amazing. Several cars simply drove past, but he took the time to stop and help me. The horse at the time, had no head collar or reins on. But Gary took his belt off, put it around the horse’s neck and helped me guide it into the pub car park.

‘He then stood holding the horse and made sure everyone was safe. He stayed with us until we found someone to put a lead rope on the horse and get him back in the field. What he did really meant a lot and I think he should get some recognition. There should be more people like him in the world.’

‘I was only too pleased that I could help in what could have been a very different outcome,’ said Gary. ‘Being an animal lover, I have seen so many less fortunate animals on the side of the road.

‘I am very grateful to the lady who highlighted this to Royal Mail as it helps raise awareness of incidents like this.’

Traffic office manager, Keith Smith, from Chelmsford mail centre, said: ‘I’m so pleased that Gary went above and beyond his duty. As an animal lover, he would have been happy that he saved this horse from being involved in a potentially very serious incident.

‘It’s great that a member of the public brought this to our attention as it highlights some of the dangers our drivers face every day.’