Blenheim show horse breeder Murray Wilson has a new constant companion in the orphan foal he has been looking after.

He's even been taking the horse to work with him.

The female foal was lucky to survive after its mother died from an unusual injury after giving birth on August 4. Mr Wilson has been looking after the foal ever since, with round-the-clock feeds, including getting up at 2am and 6am and taking the horse with him everywhere he goes.

"I've been gardening up in Hawkesbury and I have been taking it to work with me in the float so I can keep feeding it. It's been really funny pulling up to places with the horse float on the back."

After almost two weeks, the foal is thriving and starting to eat grass.

"It's doing amazingly well. It's been unbelievable how much it's grown, it's taken off like a weed."

Despite the long hours looking after the foal Mr Wilson said it had done him the world of good, giving him something to do as he set up again in Marlborough after 12 years away.

"I've had a lot of down time and she's been the best wee friend. When I'm cleaning out the paddock she just follows me around like a pet lamb."

He had been surprised by the number of people interested in the foal's story.

"There were a lot of people asking questions. I'd go to the supermarket or to get petrol and people would ask about the foal, how is she?"

Many people had suggested names for the foal, including Montana's Legacy, after its mother Montana, but he had not had time to decide on a name.

- The Marlborough Express

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