Series of mishaps test for Matamata 'angels'

PETER DRURY/ Waikato Times

IN THE WARS: Leanne West and daughter Amy, 3, who recently broke her ankle, with their horse, Silent Angel, which was injured when scared by fireworks last week.

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Three-year-old Amy West is a silent angel.

She was diagnosed with the mentally and physically debilitating Rett syndrome last year, the genetic condition robbing her of the ability to walk and talk.

The Matamata toddler is currently the youngest of about 80 girls diagnosed with the disorder around the country – all dubbed "silent angels".

But it's another silent angel at the West household who has been in the wars lately.

Their up and coming racehorse, who Amy's mother, Leanne, named Silent Angel after Rett syndrome, was seriously injured last week after being frightened by fireworks.

Mrs West said her Haig Rd neighbours were letting off fireworks last Thursday afternoon when she saw Silent Angel get a fright and flip on to a fence post – becoming impaled – before sprinting off to the other end of the paddock, dripping with blood.

The incident follows that of a Cambridge stallion owned by Jackie Chamberlain, which suffered a massive gash to his side after running through a fence after being startled by fireworks.

His plight has since gained worldwide attention after it was reported in the Waikato Times earlier this week.

Mrs Chamberlain is now organising a petition banning the private sale of fireworks, to be presented to Parliament next year. Mrs West also backed the move.

Mrs West said they had lived at their property for 10 years and never had a problem – until this year when a subdivision opened nearby.

"Within the past year we've had 10 houses built in the subdivision."

Mrs West said Silent Angel wasn't the only one who was injured at home – Amy had suffered a broken ankle recently.

"She has a very severe mental disability and she has got a broken ankle to add to complications. I haven't got time to look after an injured horse as well."

Mrs West had planned to form a syndicate with other Rett families to race Silent Angel – who now bears up to 30 staples in her side – in an effort to raise awareness of the condition. That plan now depends on the horse's recovery.

Matamata vet hospital Marks Ewen and Associates treated another horse for leg injuries after it too was spooked by fireworks and warned neighbours about letting off fireworks near their stable, practice manager Emma Williams said.

"I was driving down the driveway and saw this young guy hanging out of a window throwing fireworks from his car. It was just mad."

Staff were worried the fireworks would upset horses who were in the middle of treatment or surgery.

Ms Williams said they supported any move that would protect animals.

- © Fairfax NZ News