Gloucester shire horse Millie injured in car incident during charity event ‘quite lucky’ to be alive

A shire horse that was injured in a collision with a car yesterday (June 23) while walking the lanes of the three counties for charity is said to be in a “clinically stable” condition. Millie, a shire horse from Coldcroft Shires farm outside Gloucester, is said to be “quite a lucky girl, all things considered” and is facing months of rehabilitation.

Gloucestershire Police officers were called to the incident on the A40 in Highnam at around 10.20am yesterday (June 23) after farmer Jamie Alcock’s two shire horses were involved in an incident with a single vehicle, with Millie rushed to a vet clinic after being seriously hurt. Jamie was raising money for charity in memory of his brother, PC John Alcock, who died after being involved in a crash while serving as a police officer.

Millie is currently being cared for by the vets at Three Counties Equine Hospital, while back on the farm Jamie and the team are setting up a comfy stable for her to return to. After a traumatic day yesterday, farmer Jamie is said to be recovering by hanging out with his equine pals, which he described as “heavy horse therapy in the sun”.

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The farmer and shire horse trio had planned to spend three weeks touring the lanes of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire when their journey was cut short just hours into their trails. Following the news of the accident, hundreds of pounds began to pour into the fundraiser, with the £5,000 target almost reached by Saturday afternoon.

Donator Liz summed up what many said: “Such a great fundraiser, so sorry to have heard about it through the horrible accident you had. Wishing Millie a speedy recovery.”

However the road to recovery for Millie will be a long one. A statement from Coldcroft Shires on the accident yesterday said: “Millie is clinically stable but battered, bruised and very stiff. Her deep wounds on her chest and front right leg will take time to heal.

“Her rear right foot suffered a deep trauma and she will have to learn how to re-use that foot properly over the coming months due to significant tendon damage. We are already in communication with Hannah from Vet Physio UK about her rehabilitation.

“She is quite a lucky girl, all things considered. This could easily have proved to be a far worse situation for everyone involved.

“We are very much hoping to bring her home on Monday but that decision will be made on the day in consultation with the hospital vets. Claire from Chaseview Veterinary Clinic, who has been Millie’s vet since she was a foal, is ready to continue with Millie’s care once she’s home.

“Meanwhile, we will be busy setting up the best, largest stable on the farm to be ready for her and her needs. We are very grateful to everyone for all the comments, concern, and good wishes we have received. They will be acknowledged soon.

“We are also deeply moved by all who have chosen to donate to our fundraising effort after hearing about the accident. Thank you.

“The emotional impact of what has happened has hit Jamie today far more than yesterday. He is physically unharmed, just the same as Willam, Boo Boo, and Mr Chips.

“We will all be having a very quiet, gentle weekend on the farm. Until Monday, no news will mean good news.”

Officers would like to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage of the collision itself. Anybody with information should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary through the website, quoting incident 170 of 23 June.

* This article was amended to make it clear horses were not hit by a car. There was a collision involving a car but it is understood the car was not moving

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