Source: Multiple
- Sheila Marsh said an emotional goodbye to her beloved horse Bronwen
- Dedicated staff at Wigan Royal Infirmary arranged the visit
- The 77-year-old grandmother lost her battle with cancer just hours later
- Pictures from family album show the pair together in their prime at shows
- Mrs Marsh, whose condition deteriorated, owned Bronwen for 25 years
- Family say the pensioner took ‘comfort in the beautiful moment’
Staff at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan granted Sheila Marsh’s last wish, by arranging a visit from two of her horses on Monday afternoon.
The hospital said the 77-year-old, unable to speak properly due to illness, “gently called” her favourite horse, who then nuzzled her cheek.
Mrs Marsh, who used to work at Haydock Park Racecourse, died early on Tuesday.
The grandmother from Wigan had six horses, three dogs, three cats and other animals.
But after a farewell visit from one of her dogs last weekend, she told hospital staff of her wish to see her favourite horse Bronwen, who she had looked after for the previous 25 years.
They arranged for Bronwen and another horse to come to the hospital car park, where nurses wheeled Mrs Marsh in her bed.
Infirmary nurse Gail Taylor said: “The horse, Bronwen, walked steadily towards Sheila.
“Sheila gently called to Bronwen and the horse bent down tenderly and kissed her on the cheek as they said their last goodbyes.”
Mrs Marsh’s daughter Tina said: “It was very important for my mum. She was one of the most hard-working people that you could meet and she would do anything for anyone.”
Pauline Law, deputy director of nursing, said staff felt privileged to have been involved.
“This was obviously extremely important to [Mrs Marsh] and her family and we feel privileged to have been able to provide this support at this crucial stage of her care,” she said.
“It is absolutely right that we should pull out all the stops to ensure that our patients and their families receive personalised, compassionate and dignified care at the end of their life and this is what we will always strive to achieve.”
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Categories: Horse News, The Force of the Horse
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
A story to warm the most cold hearted human. Brought me to tears
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Yes, me too. Our brutal treatment of animals when they are capable of sensitivity frightens me. Humans are the brutes.
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This proves our horses, dogs, and other animals are sensitive to our feelings. It’s awful that there are so many wanting to get rid of our beloved wild horses and burros. They have feelings and have compassion if they know you love them and feel for them. May all our animals one day not have to worry about being euthanized because they can’t find a home or sent to slaughter or held in large feed lots because of a large government agency that should be shuttered and run by animal loving people – not those that think cattle are the ones that should graze on the wild horses ranges. These wild horses are the U. S. Icon and they should be protected, loved, and respected for their living together in families just as humans do or should be doing.
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Beautiful story, so good to know there’s still people in this world that have understanding & compassion for a gentle woman & her loving horse. My Aunt just passed away & I hope she had as peaceful passing as Mrs. Marsh. My Aunt will be buried on her 105th birthday, Nov. 11th, 1909- 2014, Love you Aunt Grace
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Animals have a way of teaching all of us, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, their compassion and the willingness to please, if you let them. The love and compassion between her and her animals was a beautiful thing and one that every human being should experience. A comforting and “beautiful moment” for a lovely lady. Thanks to the dedicated staff at Wigan Royal Infirmary for making this moment possible.
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Lovely story. I lived near a man famous for his trail building and when he got an illness that led to his passing at home, the family brought his horse to his window so they could say goodbye. Love between humans and other species is sometimes the strongest bond that exists between living beings.
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http://kariwolfe.com/old-horsewoman-patty-barnhart
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Dear geri , Thank You for sharing that lovely Poem !!!!!!
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I loved that poem….thank you!
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It is a beautiful Story, it also brought me to tears. what they shared in those 25yrs, what a beautiful thing !!!!!! Thank You to all at the hospital for making this possible for the sweet beautiful lady !!!!!!
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So sad 😦
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