A police horse who cheekily refused to enter his indoor school but without hesitation swam into the sea to rescue a drowning man has arrived at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk

Redwings was approached by Lancashire Constabulary’s Mounted Branch for help after it was forced to retire one of its trusted steeds after a ligament injury. Thornton (stable name Bertie) is a handsome light bay 16.1hh Irish Draught Cross aged 13. Like many police characters in tv dramas, Bertie has a cheeky personality but a heart of gold!

He joined the Mounted Branch aged five, where he soon learnt the trick of planting his feet so he didn’t have to be ridden in the indoor school. He always rose to the challenge when on duty however. He attended many football matches where he helped control the crowds and he once faced a vicious dog at a music festival. Being based in Lancashire he worked at the famous Blackpool illuminations plus he attended charity events and even took part in the odd game of Horseball.

However, Bertie and his mounted officer’s golden moment came when they stood at the edge of the sea with a drowning man battling the waves desperate for any help. Bertie was asked to swim out, and without hesitation he bravely entered the sea and swam towards the man. His officer was able to grab him and Bertie brought them both back to the shore. Cheeky Bertie had become Heroic Bertie.

Later, Bertie began to sadly suffer with a ligament injury and could no longer be ridden so his days of duty were over. The police tried to re-home him through their normal channels but no-one was able to take him on. All channels exhausted, they approached Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

“We heard that Lancashire Constabulary’s Mounted Branch had tried their best and after assessment we were delighted to offer Bertie a home,” explains Senior Welfare Officer Rachel Fairhead. “He has settled in well and we are quickly learning his cheeky tricks. Fortunately we’re quite a way from the coast here at our Hapton headquarters so hopefully we won’t have to try out his rescue skills!”

Sergeant Christine Driver from Lancashire Constabulary said, “Bertie, or Thornton as he is known to us was a fantastic horse. We had a great eight years service from him and he always rose to the challenge of policing the county. It was a very sad day when we had to retire him but we are delighted that Redwings have taken him on and will look after him. He worked very hard for us and we hope he has a very happy retirement!”

To find out more about Redwings, please visit www.redwings.co.uk