Stripy horse seen in Sussex

Is it a bird? is it a plane? No, it's a zorse, or should that be a hebra?

This horse X zebra is called Tango, and he's living a happy life in Arundel, West Sussex. Owned by a member of VivaPets.com, Tango stands at 13.3hh and joined his current family in 2005.

According to his 15-year-old owner, Aleathea Hill, he loves cuddles, the beach, playing with Coca Cola bottles (he's quite partial to the fizzy contents too) and his family. His favourite pastime is sleeping. He doesn't like puddles and has rather taken against Aleathea's dad!

He follows Aleathea around by holding on to her pony tail. To see more of Tango, go to his VivaPets page.

If you'd like to become a member of VivaPets and show off your loved/unusual/adorable pets click here.

Horsemart.co.uk is the UK's leading classified website, with 1000s of horses for sale.

Cloned horse has healthy foal

The world's first cloned horse, Prometea, has had a foal. Her son, Pegaso, is the first offspring of an equine clone and it proves once again that cloned animals can grow and reproduce normally, and give birth to healthy offspring.

Prometea was announced as the world’s first horse clone in 2003. This cloning process is seen by many as a way to preserve the genetic heritage of exceptional geldings.

"During these five years Prometea has been in very good health and often at the centre of media attention," says her creator, Prof Cesare Galli of the Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies in Cremona.

"The ultimate proof of her normality has just come with the birth of Pegaso, on March 17th 2008, after a single insemination with the semen of the Haflinger stallion Abendfurst."

Pegaso will be of particular interest to the racing industry, as sporting horses are castrated at an early age. "When they become adult and demonstrate to be champion horses, they are unable to reproduce and it is therefore impossible to obtain the next generation: the champion’s offspring," says Prof Galli.

"This is a bitter reality that clashes with the driving principle of animal breeding and selection that is based on the reproduction of superior individuals to pursue genetic improvement of the breed. Therefore, today, horse cloning is simply an assisted reproduction technique that allows us to obtain copies/clones of castrated champion horses and finally, from these clones, the champion's offspring that otherwise would never be born."

Horsemart.co.uk is the place for buying and selling horses, horseboxes and all equestrian items. From stables to tack, clothing to equestrian property, you'll find it here.

Hickstead event axed due to stroppy parents

A children’s showjumping event has been cancelled after parents threatened the organisers.

A decision was made by organisers of the British Jumping Derby Meeting at Hickstead, West Sussex, to move the Junior and Pony Masters section to the less glamorous Ring 2 at the competition in June.

Upset that their children wouldn’t be in the limelight of the main arena, angry parents became abusive towards show staff.

Lizzie Bunn, director of the showground, told the Times: “It wasn’t the children, it was the parents coming at us because their ‘little darlings’ weren’t able to compete. We had screaming rows. They verbally abused and threatened staff. I felt like throwing them out. Because they weren’t getting their own way, they were trying to throw their weight around. They came up to staff and told them their children were in floods of tears because the event had been moved. I told them they didn’t have to jump if they didn’t want to. The behaviour was intolerable. I thought, ‘We’re not putting up with it’.”

Mrs Bunn is now concentrating on events for older people instead. She said: “Maybe the parents will learn and in a few years we will reinstate the classes. Unfortunately, I think it’s a sign of the times across all sports.”

Horsemart.co.uk, for horses, horseboxes, trailers, equestrian clothing, riding instructors, equestrian insurers, riding equipment and so much more.

The Brooke launches ‘Horses in Need’ campaign

The Brooke is the UK's largest overseas equine welfare charity, and it is urging British horse lovers to help needy equines around the world this summer.

July is national ‘Horses in Need’ month. This is the second year of national campaign and the public are being asked to come up with fun fund-raising ideas, to help end the suffering of millions of animals.

Every penny raised will help a needy horse, pony or donkey – £1 could buy seven hoof picks; £5 could pay for 10 anti-rabies vaccinations; £20 could purchase 10 boxes of painkillers. £100 could fund a two-day clinic in a brick kiln in Pakistan; £365 could pay for a mobile vet and training team to be on the road for a week.

If you sign up for Horses in Need 2008, you will automatically be given an online fundraising page, and will be sent a fundraising pack with ideas to get you started. And as a reward for your efforts, The Brooke is also offering prizes to its fundraisers.

For more information or to register call 0845 3670999 or visit www.thebrooke.org/hin

Horsemart.co.uk is the UK's leading classified website, with 1000s of horses for sale.

Horsemart's in Tesco!

Horsemart just keeps getting better and better, even if we do say so ourselves.

And now, because we're nice people and we want to make life more convenient for you, it's getting easier and easier to get hold of your copy of the national magazine.

For the glorious spring month of May you can pick up your copy of National Horsemart from Tesco stores the length and breadth of the country.

It's out now, so don't delay, pop one in your shopping bag today!

(Blimey I'm good - seriously, with catchy slogans like that I could rule the world.)

Horsemart.co.uk is the place for buying and selling horses, horseboxes and all equestrian items. From stables to tack, clothing to equestrian property, you'll find it here.