A heartwarming episode of BBC’s The Repair Shop recently featured a beloved therapy horse named Hector, sparking both laughter and skillful restoration.
Riding instructor Ena Gaffney brought Hector to the workshop along with her star pupil, Ellen, and Ellen’s mother, Lynn. Hector serves as a cherished mascot for Drum Riding for the Disabled in Edinburgh, where he’s been instrumental for 29 years.
“This is Hector,” explained Gaffney. “He’s at Drum Riding for the Disabled in Edinburgh. I’ve had him for 29 years. We offer riding experiences to people with disabilities – both children and adults. It’s truly remarkable to witness what a horse can do for someone facing such challenges.”
Ellen’s mother shared, “Ellen was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, which means she doesn’t have ear canals. This affects her spatial awareness and balance, but Hector has had an incredible impact on her confidence.”
Gaffney recounted how Hector came to them: “He was in a saddle shop that was closing down, and he was going to be given away. I thought he’d be wonderfully beneficial for the children to learn about handling horses.” The program teaches participants essential skills like grooming, approaching a horse safely, identifying body parts, and properly fitting tack.
Pointing out Hector’s condition, Gaffney noted, “He’s lost an eye, and his other eye is quite alarming. He also has a noticeable lean, and his mane and tail are in need of attention. This white marking here is called a sock; ideally, we’d like to have a stocking that reaches higher.”
During the initial assessment, a slight misunderstanding arose when Middleditch inquired about the height of the “stocking,” asking if it should reach “his knee.” Gaffney and Chinea playfully corrected her, with Chinea humorously teasing, “His hock… come on now, his knee, Amanda!”
Despite acknowledging the challenges involved in restoring Hector, the team confidently began their work. Middleditch later commented from the “hair department,” “Hector’s outside having his pedicure with Dom – I’m here in the hair department. He’s going to look very handsome indeed after this!”
The moment of reunion was filled with emotion. Gaffney exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! Oh my god! He actually looks so real!” She continued, praising the team’s artistry: “Look at that soft mane and the beautiful color of his new eye. His feet have been fixed! And I just adore the markings you’ve added – they look so authentic. We wouldn’t trust anyone else with this.”
Ellen simply stated, “He is just amazing!”
- Key Facts:
- Hector is a therapy horse for Drum Riding for the Disabled in Edinburgh.
- He has been with the program for 29 years.
- Ellen has Treacher Collins syndrome and benefits greatly from interacting with Hector.
- The team worked to restore Hector’s appearance, including replacing his lost eye and addressing issues like a lean and damaged mane and tail.
