Free-roaming horse Jenny cheers up German lockdown

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Free-roaming horse Jenny cheers up German lockdown

The Arabian mare has never caused trouble and locals have embraced their equine celebrity

Published: May 04, 2020 09:26 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

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Copy of 901571-01-08-1588569501641 — Every morning white mare Jenny leaves her stable to stroll through her Frankfurt neighbourhood. Bringing trams to a halt and smiles to people's faces, the free-roaming horse is brightening up the coronavirus lockdown for many. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901552-01-08-1588569524543 — "Everyone else has to live with coronavirus restrictions but Jenny is as free as ever," her owner Anna Weischedel, 65, told AFP. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901537-01-08-1588569516888 — For more than a decade Jenny has wandered solo through her local Fechenheim area, a green part of Frankfurt on the bank of the Main river. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901544-01-08-1588569519232 — She explores the high street, trots along the tram line to a nearby field and spends hours nibbling on patches of grass. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901535-01-08-1588569512207 — The beloved Arabian mare, already a venerable 25 years old, has always been a hit with residents. But never more so than in recent weeks. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901569-01-08-1588569499168 — "People seem to notice her more because they have more time. A lot of passers-by stroke her, maybe because they are missing some human contact," said Anna. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901573-01-08-1588569507026 — Like many countries, Germany has closed schools, playgrounds and many businesses to curb the outbreak. | Jenny grazes on a field during her daily walk. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901572-01-08-1588569504351 — Though it has slowly started easing some lockdown measures, people are encouraged to limit their social interactions and keep their distance. | Jenny strolls through the streets in Fechenheim. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901536-01-08-1588569514443 — But there are no rules against snuggling with Jenny. "It makes us so happy to see Jenny, we miss her when we don't pass her on our walks," said Gaby Marxen, 61, holding two dogs on a leash. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901559-01-08-1588569491940 — Johanna, 8, who was also out walking a dog, said: "My brother and I like to pet her." To avoid misunderstandings, since people have in the past called the police to report an unaccompanied horse, Jenny wears a note around her neck that reads: "I haven't run away, I'm just out for a walk." Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901576-01-08-1588569509793 — The daily ramble ends at around 4:00 pm, when Anna's 80-year-old husband, Werner, jumps on his e-scooter to find Jenny along her usual route and tell her it's home time. "And then she slowly heads back," said Werner, a retired flower shop owner. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901556-01-08-1588569527058 — In all her years of ambling, Jenny has never caused trouble and local authorities have embraced their equine celebrity, the couple said. "She's a very patient horse, it takes a lot to stress her out," said Anna. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901566-01-08-1588569496534 — The only thing that upsets Jenny is the noise of fireworks, something she shares with Werner who is haunted by the sounds of bombs dropping on Frankfurt when he was a child during World War II. Image Credit: AFP

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20200504 jenny mare — "Jenny and I spend New Year's Eve cowering together," Werner smiled. Jenny's animal-loving owners, who also have a near-toothless chihuahua and look after more than 100 birds, are taking the coronavirus pandemic in their stride. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 901562-01-08-1588569494625 — "We survived the war, we'll survive corona," shrugged Werner. Image Credit: AFP

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