27/11/2000 – We learned that life was neigh bother for Narcissus, the horse that thinks he’s human.

Sometimes he hoofed it down to the pub for a pint but now and then he stayed in for a night in front of the telly.

As he reached a 'certain age', his owner Iain Halbert decided to take out a Lonely Hearts advert to find him a girlfriend to keep him even happier.

Skelmorlie animal lover Iain bought the pedigree American toy horse, whose name he was shortened to Narkie, back in 1991, and treated him like one of his four children.

Nights in front of the telly in the lounge of the huge house Iain built himself were commonplace for years for Narcissus who ate three packet of Polo Mints a day.

(Image: Newsquest)

The wee horse even started to branch out and nip out with Iain for a beer.

Iain, who built an amazing animal kingdom in the centre of Skelmorlie, was determined to make Narkie's life complete.

He said: “Narcissus thinks he’s one of us. He loves to come into the lounge to watch the telly.

“He wouldn’t be pleased if I nipped out for a dram without him.

“The trouble is that at nine years old he is beginning to realise that there are more things to life than pubs and television.

“He’s ready for a girlfriend and I think it has to be sooner than later.

“He is a great friend to me and I take him out like other people walk their dogs.

“Everyone in the pub loves him and he thinks he’s human but I think he is looking further afield.

“There might be a wee bit of jealousy when he finds a friend but I think it has to be done.”