The owner of the UK’s ‘oldest horse’ has revealed the secret to her pet’s long life. 

Roana lives in Northern Ireland with her owner Cerys Brown and, at 46 years old, is believed to be the oldest horse in the UK. 

Cerys first met the mixed-breed mare when she was just five years old and began taking lessons at her local riding school in Newtownards, County Down. 

When the school closed down in the early 2000s, Cerys’ grandma bought Roana and Cerys has been looking after her ever since. 

The average life expectancy of a horse is between 25 and 30 years, meaning Roana has lived far longer than she ever could have hoped for.

As her beloved horse celebrates her record-holding 46th birthday, Cerys has revealed the secrets to her pet’s long life. 

Cerys revealed that Roana has a very unusual diet, consisting of the occasional Mars bar and Stud muffin horse treat. 

For her birthday, she enjoyed a birthday cake made from linseed mash, grass pellets and grated carrot. Cerys also credits light exercise with helping to keep her mare healthy in her older age. 

Cerys Brown has revealed the secret to her pet Roana’s long life – as her pet celebrates her 46th birthday 

Roana lives in Northern Ireland and is believed to be the oldest horse in the UK. Pictured with her stablemate Tinkerbell

‘Roana has been in my life for 30 years, as long as most of my family members have, she is practically family,’ Cerys said. 

‘We have a different level of bond, I know her inside out. I know how she is feeling just by looking at her. 

‘Everyone should know her story as she has been such an amazing companion and has had an incredible impact on my life.’

Cerys was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 18 years old and spent her early 20s in and out of hospital, but once she began to recover and manage her illness, Roana helped her get back into a routine.

She continued: ‘I always have a friend, there’s always someone to talk to and she’s been there through every major life change. 

‘Owning horses has given me something to get up in the morning for, I’ve had a few health problems myself and even on my lowest days Roana and Tinkerbell gave me purpose. They’re like siblings to me and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.’

Roana was identified as the UK’s oldest horse by the Harry Hall One Club, an equine membership service of almost 50,000 horse owners across the UK. 

In an interview with the BBC, Cerys described Roana’s personality as ‘thran’, which means ‘stubborn’.  

Roana is still in great health and only retired last year after sustaining a leg injury

Cerys said her pet is ‘very stubborn’ and even revealed she didn’t like her much when they first met at a riding school

But Cerys, who has Crohn’s disease, now credits her beloved horse with ‘saving her’ during difficult times

Cerys explained: ‘When I first met Roana I didn’t like her as she was lazy and didn’t enjoy flatwork! 

‘Later when I discovered her love for jumping we found common ground and became best friends. I soon came to realise she was extremely independent and lived her life on her own terms, which is what makes her so special, her personality is amazing. 

‘You definitely can’t be sensitive around her or take things too personally.’

She also joked that she ‘wasn’t very fond of small children’. 

Her beloved horse is still in very good health despite age-related arthritis and surviving strangles in the 1990s – a highly contagious bacterial infection in the respiratory tract. 

Cerys used to ride Roana at competitive showjumping events back in the day (pictured)

Cerys said Roana enjoys eating the occasional Mars bar and linseed cake as she turns 46

Roana retired just four years ago after sustaining a leg injury that prevented her being ridden. Back in the day, Cerys had ridden her at competitive show-jumping events in the 1990s. 

When Roana was officially declared to be the UK’s oldest horse, Liz Hopper, managing director at Harry Hall, said: ‘Horses are living longer due to advancements in nutrition and medicine, we are witnessing them surpassing expectations of the average age – which is around 25.

‘This means equine friends are remaining with their owners for much longer – which is wonderful to see! In light of this, Harry Hall set out on a mission to find the UK’s oldest horse and uncover a heartwarming story.

‘From our database of Harry Hall One Club members, Roana was crowned the oldest horse. It’s remarkable that Cerys has been able to spend the majority of her life with Roana by her side, it truly is a beautiful partnership.’