COULD the world’s oldest horse be living here in Essex?

Remus Horse Sanctuary, based in Ingatestone, claims its 49-year-old Arab thoroughbred cross, Orchid, could well be, and is now in contact with the Veteran Horse Society in Wales and the Guinness Book of World Records to get more information.

Orchid arrived at the Sanctuary in May seriously underweight.

Yet she has since stunned staff and vets by her recovery and put on 100 kilograms in weight. The previous record holder, Shayne, a 51-year-old liver chestnut Irish Draught cross thoroughbred, who died in September 2014, was also rescued by Remus. The average life span of a horse is between 25 and 30 years.