HORSE owner Heidi Coleshill had a shock when she made her usual rounds of her five horses on February 13.

“It was the biggest shock of my life. I had gone to change the rugs on my other horses and I glanced in at my pregnant mare and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“She was due to foal on March 2 but Bella was born two weeks early. She had given birth with no problems at all and now she had the most beautiful filly foal,” said Heidi, of Brilley.

This little filly was the result of what started as a dream between two friends who love Andalusian horses.

Heidi and her friend Sally Herdman have always enjoyed horses and when Sally decided to indulge her dream of having an Andalusian, Heidi suggested how lovely it would be to be able to breed them.

“I never ever thought my husband would come round to the idea but Sally talked him round and that was it really,” said Heidi.

Then the search began. Should they buy some horses already in this country, or look abroad? Eventually they bought from a well-known stud in Spain and imported three mares, two with foals at foot who were also in foal again (hence Bella’s early appearance) and a stallion who lives at Sally’s farm close to Heidi.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though. No sooner had the horses stepped off the lorry than disaster struck.

As Heidi led the youngest mare – aged two and a half at the time – out to the field, the horse stood on her foot, breaking all her toes and crushing her foot, putting her on crutches for many months.

“It really wasn’t her fault. It was within half an hour of her arriving and I don’t know if my foot will ever be the same again – but I will never forget her.” said Heidi.

Since Bella’s arrival, the other mare has given birth to a cheeky colt named Bart.

Heidi and Sally now plan to breed on a small scale as a hobby more than anything and to enjoy their beautiful horses.

“I will back the mares and ride them. My days of falling off are over so I would also like to find someone interested in dressage to maybe competing with them.

“I just love them for their temperaments, which are so calm and kind, and also their movement. They just float. I have high hopes for them,” added Heidi.