THE owners of a horse near Fordingbridge have confirmed their animal is not dead, but just old.

A resident found the animal lying down in the fields by Ashford Road and took to Facebook to voice her concern.

She said: “I’m no horse expert so may be wrong but I think it might be unwell, it was struggling and failing to get up as I walked past.”

A veterinary nurse responded, offering to investigate the animal if someone would agree to look after her children.

But the owners soon confirmed the horse was not dead, just old.

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The New Forest Smokery and Trout Farm said: “Thanks everyone, he’s fine. Very old, 34. He does struggle to get up once down.

“He had his feet trimmed this morning and was enjoying the sun and having his rug off – all good.”

Jane Purbrick, who works at the farm, added: “Thanks for all the concern.

“He lies down or rolls and ends up with his head downhill and then struggles to get up.

“He usually waits there until I go and help him.

“As for Hippy, he’s 34 and a rather oversized New Forest pony.

“We’ve had him since he was five months old, so I look after him.”