Faithful four gallop off to pastures new

Fairfax, Jack Priday, Oliver and Nickleby

Four police horses who have together notched up almost 50 years of service have been put out to pasture.

The four crime-fighting equines have said goodbye to hard work on the city streets, and settled to a life of leisure.

Three of them helped to police the Manchester riots over the summer — while the fourth, Jack Priday, was confined to his stable with an injury at the time.

Nickleby, Oliver and Fairfax — all named after characters in Charles Dickens’ novels, and Jack Priday, named after a farrier who shod horses for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for 35 years, are retiring to The Horse Trust sanctuary in Buckinghamshire.

Nickleby, a grey, and Oliver, a chestnut, both served for 13 years. Fairfax, a bay, spent a decade in service, and Jack Priday, a grey, worked for GMP for 11 years.

They are retiring as they can no longer be ridden. Nickleby, Oliver and Fairfax suffer from osteoarthritis, while Jack, who had recovered from a dog attack last year, has a ligament injury.

The four horses spent their working lives carrying out a wide range of duties, including policing public order situations, crowd control at football matches and city centre patrols.

Nickleby and Fairfax’s last job was policing the Manchester derby on October 23.

Ann Firth, groom team leader for GMP’s mounted branch, said: “The disorder over the summer was challenging for the horses, as their initial reaction in a situation like that is to run away.

“They dealt with it really well though as they are big, brave horses that everyone loved riding as they knew they’d be safe.

“All four animals were stalwarts, and were often the first to be selected for operations as they could be used for all types of work and nothing scared them.”

She added: “They will be hugely missed, but everyone’s thrilled that they’re getting such a well-deserved retirement at The Horse Trust.

“After more than a decade pounding the streets of Manchester, it’s lovely that they’ll get to be horses again and can spend their days grazing in the fields at the sanctuary.”

Jeanette Allen of The Horse Trust, said: “We are delighted to offer Nickleby, Oliver, Fairfax and Jack lifetime sanctuary after their loyal and brave service to the police.

“Our staff will give them the loving care they need for the remainder of their years.”