A LOCAL woman has been honoured by The British Horse Society for her work with an equestrian charity.

Mrs Jenny MacGregor was presented with an award recognising the work done by she and her late husband, Alasdair with The Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies.

Both were involved at the start of the society, which was founded in 1973 to save foals from being exported to slaughter, with Jenny now chairman.

As the practice of exporting foals for slaughter dwindled, their work changed. Now, as an equine hospital, they take in sick, injured or abused animals, rehabilitating them and finding them good homes.

In late 2010 Jenny and her helpers experienced one of their busiest and most difficult winters on record. Feeding large groups of abandoned horses and ponies in fields and being called out at all hours to loose and injured horses on roads imposed a major strain. But they persevered.

Up until his death last year, Alasdair was, with Jenny, the Society's driving force but his express wish was that business should continue as usual without him. Whereas many people would be numbed into inaction by their grief, Jenny's trademark determination has ensured that the vital work to help horses in need will go on under her sole leadership.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jenny explained how thrilled was to receive the award.

She said, "We have got some wonderful stories about some animals that were in a dire situation that have now gone on and made lovely animals and of them competing and winning rosettes.

"I was obviously very thrilled to have my husband included because we worked for so many years together and obviously, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be doing it here now."

The British Horse Society president Martin Clunes presents Jenny with her award at a ceremony in London.