GAZETTE & HERALD: STAFF at the Greatwood racehorse rehabilitation centre at Clench Common are fighting for the life of badly neglected steeple chaser Driven by Desire.

Helen Yeadon who runs the rescue and rehabilitation centre with her husband, Michael, said the horse had been in such poor health they were not sure if it would pull through.

The ten-year-old was originally trained in Dorset but passed through several hands before the Yeadons' heard it was advertised for free on the Internet.

Mrs Yeadon said: "We have been in touch with his former trainer who is mortified at the state he ended up in.

"As far as he was aware he had released him to a loving and caring person when his racing career was over."

His last owner had rescued him two months ago, said Mrs Yeadon, but had no idea how he should be treated.

"She said she had no idea what to do about him," said the rehabilitation centre owner.

"We don't normally take in horses without an arrangement but we treated it as an emergency case and had him brought straight here."

The centre's vets are treating Driven By Desire for a severe infection, among other things, and the sick horse has started responding to treatment.

She said: "It's still fifty-fifty whether he will pull through but we are doing our best for him."

Greatwood depends on charitable donations and sponsorship for its work and runs a scheme where people can adopt a horse and contribute towards its keep.