Oldest horse thrives on linseed cake and light exercise

Theres no better way for the horse believed to be the oldest in the UK to celebrate her 46th birthday than with a bit of cake.

For birthday girl Roana, and stablemates Tinkerbell and Barnaby in County Down, the cake - made of linseed mash, grass pellets and a middle layer of grated carrot - went down extremely well.

The horse emerged as the frontrunner for the title of UKs oldest horse in a survey by equestrian specialists Harry Hall and has lived well past the average horse age of 25 to 30 years.

For owner Cerys Brown, its an incredible achievement for an animal she first saddled up with as a six-year-old at riding school.

"I cant imagine life without her," she said.

"I just know her inside out, she knows me inside out, weve grown up together.

"Shes always there, shes always been there. Shes my best friend."

She rode Roana at competitive show-jumping events in the 1990s.

Cerys joked that at first, Roana "wasnt very fond of small children".

"But I was always the kid with treats in my pockets, and Roana likes treats. Thats how I won her around."

When the riding school closed during the next decades, Ceryss grandmother bought the mixed-breed pony for her.

Roana has lived at her stables in County Down ever since.

Cerys is often asked about the secret of Roanas longevity.

"I think a lot of it is good care, and good feeding. Shes had lots of exercise but not too much, so she has good joints.

"And also, good genetics," she added.

Roana has cantered through all the significant events in Ceryss life – even attending her wedding.

Shes been a help during more difficult times too.

Cerys was diagnosed with Crohns disease when she was 18 years old.

She said that having Roana and another horse at the time gave her "the drive to get well again".

"It just gave me a reason to get up and out in the morning."

Cerys described Roanas personality as "thran" – which is a word often used in Northern Ireland to mean "stubborn".

"Roana knows her own mind," she explained.

"She does what she wants when she pleases.

"I run to her schedule as opposed to the other way round.

"But shes great fun, she has such a zest for life ... and even at age 46, shes not slow. She just wants to be out having fun."

Managing Director Liz Hopper from Harry Hall, which conducted the survey, said the relationship between Cerys and Roana was a "beautiful partnership".

"Horses are living longer due to advancements in nutrition and medicine," she explained.

"We are witnessing them surpassing expectations of the average age - which is around 25."

Cerys said she hadnt previously thought that Roana could be a record-holder.

"If horses get to their late 20s or early 30s, its great.

"Forty-six is an incredible age.

"But just because shes always been there, I never really thought Roana could be the oldest.

"Shes just my Roana."

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