AN ex racehorse has found a new lease of life in Bootle.

The thoroughbred Nicolas Chauvin, affectionately known as Nic by his new owner has found comfort in his new home following an injury which ended his career.

New owner Katy Singleton, a 43-year-old from Bootle said: "In March my husband got a text message from Paul, a member of the syndicate that owned Nic.

"My husband is useless with technology so he handed me the phone and said what's this about, it immediately sparked my interest.

"I spoke to Steve Dawson to give him my details and within 48 hours I picked him up.

Katy currently owns two other horses, a Cob called Rusty and Toto the Shetland Pony.

She continued: "Nic is such a pleasure and he's become a horse again.

"It's only in the last three weeks that he's been playing with the other horses, he's never had the opportunity to play before because racehorses are so disciplined.

"He is such a funny lad. All thoroughbred's are so unique and I would advise anyone thinking of giving one a home to do it".

Nicolas had broken his splint bone which healed but it led to a build up of granulated tissue on the bone which created a hole in his tendon.

Katy said: "He needed to put weight on to get over his injury so we're not going to work him properly until next year.

"All the vets have said I could spend thousands on surgery but due to his age he would be at the point of leaving his racing anyway.

"I'm aiming to get him doing long distance pleasure rides, I've had a thoroughbred before and he loved it.

The United Utilities worker said that although it will take work to build him up, the pleasure rides will not strain his injury.

Katy continued: "When I rehomed Nic people said 'isn't he the horse that was getting put down'. That was never the case, the syndicate were never going to destroy him. They were always going to find him a home to go to."

She finished with: "His injury is manageable, but even if he did become lame he would always have a home here with me".