There's little doubt that celebrity vet Dr Harry has seen it all.
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But a new arrival at Heavy Horse Heaven rescue farm brought tears to the Better Homes and Gardens stalwart presenter's eyes.
"She was a welfare case who turned up the day he was there, and he was really moved," said Heavy Horse Heaven founder and president Karen Hood.
"She was underweight, had been used as a baby factory basically, and she had these scars...he just choked up.
"He was so beautiful, just the nicest guy, and so compassionate."
Dr Harry and the Channel 7 team were at the Lade Vale (near Yass) property in December to film an upcoming segment of Better Homes and Gardens, set to screen on Friday, April 2 at 7pm.
Ms Hood hopes the show will shine a light on what has been her passion project for a decade, and give a boost to the 10th birthday fundraising events she has planned for the coming months.
Heavy Horse Heaven is a not for profit organisation based in Lade Vale near Yass and provides rehabilitation and rehoming opportunities for heavy horses such as Clydesdales, Shires and Percherons, as well as cross breeds of the heavier kind.
In the 10 years they've have been operating they have made a difference to over 130 horses' lives, have brought smiles to the faces of volunteers and visitors.
Ms Hood started the rescue project following the purchase of her first Clydesdale.
"I'd been into horses all my life and always loved the heavies but never had one," she said.
"I promised myself that once I could afford it I'd buy a Clydesdale, which I did.
"I thought we had room for another so I looked for a heavy horse rescue place but couldn't find one, and when I told a friend she suggested I start one.
"So that's what I did, and now we take horses from all over the east coast and as far away as South Australia."
They have about 23 horses under their care at the moment, and most will be re-homed on a lifetime lease.
"We remain legal owners, and use the lease fee to fundraise to support the next ones," Ms Hood said.
The place hosts six volunteers every Sunday from a pool of about 30, but Ms Hood takes care of the horses during the week.
The rescue horses come to them through a variety of means including surrenders, slaughter sales and alerts of abandoned animals. Some need rehabilitating or retraining, and all are then rehomed.
Ms Hood has big plans for the future, including an educational centre offering equine therapy.
Details will appear on the website at www.heavyhorseheaven.com.au
There is also a link on the website for donations, and anything $2 and over is tax deductible.
"The last 12-18 m have been really tough, and flood victims will put more pressure on us," said Ms Hood.
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