A WEE COUNTY MSP was caught horsing around last week as he visited a sanctuary for animals with troubled backgrounds.

Keith Brown got up close and personal with some horses last week when he paid a visit to Katie's Cradle, a charity which provides a place for a small number of horses to nurse them back to health by providing them with a stable, settled and permanent home.

The SNP MSP was invited to Katie's Cradle having congratulated them for securing lottery funding and has secured a further £75 donation to the sanctuary.

A fantastic sum of £9,982 was granted by the lottery, money which will go a long way to securing the safety of many a horse.

While there, Mr Brown met with Connor Watt and Sharon Taylor, who talked him through the charity's plans to involve the horses in a therapeutic service for those who might benefit from improving their non-verbal communication skills, including veterans, people with autism and Asperger's and those with mental health difficulties.

The MSP also met horses Frankie and Amigo, who welcomed him with unbridled enthusiasm to the sanctuary.

Mr Brown said: "I was delighted to join Katie's Cradle to learn about the fantastic work they do rehabilitating horses, offering them a new lease of life.

"I was encouraged to learn of their future plans to extend the therapeutic services involving the horses to those who may particularly benefit from them, including veterans and young people.

"I have no doubt that this would be hugely successful, providing an incredible service who may have significant difficulties communicating, especially if they were lucky enough to meet up with Frankie and Amigo.

"The lottery money will go some way to supporting these ambitious plans and I wish Katie's Cradle continued success."

Connor Watt, vice chairman at Katie's Cradle, said: "It was an absolute pleasure having Keith visit our establishment and to meet someone who cared about the problems facing the veteran community and disadvantaged youths as much as we do.

"We're looking forward to the day when he returns and we can show him how much we grew thanks to his suggestions and expertise."