THERE’S great excitement at Westons Cider as they have had their first Shire Horse foal born in 13 years.

Helen Thomas, the managing director of Westons Cider, has named the colt Rhys as a tribute to her Welsh connections. Mother and foal are doing exceptionally well.

His mother is called Peggy-Sue. She is 15 years and this is her first foal. He was born on Tuesday April 9 at 12:30am.

Carla Miles, Shires Team Leader, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome such a strong and healthy foal, and we are so proud of his mother who is proving to be such a natural.

However, she kept us waiting a long time. Horses usually foal around 325 to 330 days gestation give or take, but she foaled at 360 days- almost an entire year!

“He will be working as part of the Westons Shires team when he grows up.

“He is particularly special also because he is a ‘green’ foal on the newly introduced SPARKS system to the Shire Horse Society. This is a kinship table brought in by Dr Andy Dell last year to make it easier for breeders to avoid inbreeding and to save this rare breed.”

The Shire horses are a popular attraction at the cider maker in Much Marcle.