PET SHOP:THE HORSE FROM Mike Newell's Into the West, Tír na nÓg, is possibly one of the most famous equine movie stars (with a little competition perhaps from Seabiscuit, Mr Ed and Silver). But what happened to this beautiful white steed after the credits rolled? asks Michael Kelly
Well, Tír na nÓg is called Flanagan in real life, and after spending a number of years in an equestrian centre in Stepaside, he now resides in blissful retirement with horse and pony lover, Lesley Magill, at her home in Blainroe. Flanagan is 24 years old and slightly arthritic, but he still has star quality in spades and intriguingly (given the movie's ending) still enjoys occasional visits to the beach.
Magill got her first horse when she was 16 years old and credits that animal with dictating the course of her entire life. "My family was emigrating to Australia and I was ready to go, too. I had my visa sorted and all, and then I took one look at the horse and knew that I couldn't leave. He was like a son to me and I had him for 34 years in the end. He died only four years ago."
Flanagan is one of three horses that Magill owns but the majority of our conversation is taken up talking about her two miniature ponies, Nemo and Romulus. There is some controversy around equine miniatures, notably whether they should be classified as ponies or horses. While technically ponies given their size, they more closely resemble a horse, just on a much smaller scale. Nemo and Romulus are a mere 36 and 38 inches high respectively, which is not a lot bigger than a large dog. Magill has even had to make specially-adapted low doors for their stable so they can poke their heads out.
"Both of them were rescued. Nemo was found tethered at the side of the road and was in a desperate state. He was skin and bone and starving, and when we let him out in the field, it was nearly a month before we could catch him again, he was so terrified," she says.
That was five years ago. Now, Nemo is fond of human company and will nudge you in the back if you don't pay him enough attention. "They are the most lovable little guys imaginable," she says. "They love hugs and are very intelligent."
None of her horses - miniature or otherwise - are worked or ridden, but there is still a lot of work and expense involved in keeping them. "They are out in the paddocks by day and at night we put them back in the stables. They all have to be groomed, mucked out, given food and water. The miniatures don't get much food as they are prone to laminitis if overweight - their feet can't support their bodies. But basically they are all expensive geriatric pets, living out their lives in luxury here!"