Mourning for Horses
The Horse Trust has sadly said goodbye to Iceland, a horse that lived a grand life at The Royal Mews, which included pulling the Gold Coach during The Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations. The charity has also said goodbye to Big John, a 42-year-old ex-rescue horse that led a more humble existence.Iceland, a 16.3hh Windsor Grey gelding, had been involved in numerous state occasions during his working life at The Royal Mews. His last engagement, before retiring to The Horse Trust, was during The Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 2002 - he was one of the eight horses that had the honour of pulling The Queen's Gold Coach.
Despite his grand beginnings, Iceland had lots of personality and a few unusual habits.
"He was a massive character and was a big favourite with staff and visitors," said Charli Pardon, Head Groom at The Horse Trust. "He used to pull funny faces and would chew on anything - baseball caps, drain pipes, window sills. The grooms were continually repainting the drain pipes outside his stable because he kept chewing on them!"
16hh bay gelding Big John, nicknamed BJ by staff at The Horse Trust, was the sanctuary's oldest resident. At 42 years old, he was very old for a thoroughbred, although still a decade away from breaking any records - the world's oldest horse, according to the Guinness Book of Records, was a 51-year-old Arab-Welsh cross called Badger.
Charli thinks his hardy character probably helped him reach his old age. "He was a stoic old chap," said Charli. "Thoroughbreds generally need, a little extra TLC but BJ was quite a tough character and would often live outside even in the colder months. In fact, the grooms often couldn't catch him to bring him inside."
BJ was rescued by his owner and spent a number of happy years with him, before retiring at The Horse Trust aged 27. He was well known in the sanctuary for his love of turnips.
"BJ loved turnips - it normally takes a horse half an hour to work their way through one, but with him it would be gone in 10 seconds," said Charli.
Both Iceland and BJ had suffered from long-term health conditions, which had recently worsened. As their quality of life was impaired, the sad decision was made to put them to sleep. Iceland died on 11 October; BJ died on 13 October.
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