A COCKENZIE and Port Seton community councillor has spent the past fortnight horsing around for animal charities.

Shona Brash, director of Seton Sands Community Ponies, signed up for the Walk for War Horse campaign, and is walking daily round the area with her horsey chum Indie.

Indie was a surprise bonus for the rescue organisation, with which he lives, after he was born to a rescue horse called Betty.

Shona said: “When Betty arrived she wasn’t in the best condition and the vet came out to check her all the time. When they arrived to give her her jags, they did a blood test on her because she was a bit of a pudding and that confirmed she was carrying a foal.

“Indie’s been such a joy – and because he’s known only love and kindness, he’s got attitude!

“The rest of them are rescues so they’re grateful for anything that’s nice and kind; Indie just expects it.”

Indie is something of an escape artist and has leapt the fence several times for a jaunt round the adjacent caravan park or Seton Mill meadow; and since mum Betty is now away for summer ‘boot camp’, Shona decided to get Indie, who has never been ridden or exposed to town life, signed up to the War Horse Memorial charity campaign.

Shona said: “This is a good opportunity to start his progression journey into the world.

“He’s handled regularly and he’s an absolute joy but he hasn’t actually gone out into the world on his own.

“Walking through Port Seton the other morning, he was something else; so unfazed by it, taking everything in his stride.”

The Walk for War Horse campaign invites animal lovers across the country to trek the countryside near their homes with horses, ponies, donkeys or dogs, while capturing on film the beauty of Scotland.

Shona and Indie, who started their walks on April 15, will make a note of the distance they cover for the rest of the month and take photos of their progress.

Shona is also sharing their journeys on the Seton Sands Community Ponies Facebook page.

She said: “I’m a volunteer with East Lothian Animal Rescue and Advice and I know how difficult finances are for all of these charities so Indie and I thought if folk would like to make a donation, it will be split across four charities.”

Donations will be shared between War Horse Memorial, Frugaldom, East Lothian Animal Rescue and Advice, and The Scottish Borders Donkey Sanctuary.

Donations can be made via gofundme.com/f/indie-walk-for-war-horse