A horse described as one in every of The Queen’s favourites, who pulled Her Majesty’s carriage on a number of high-profile events, has died on the age of 27.
The Horse Trust has “with an incredibly heavy heart” paid tribute to former Royal Mews favorite Daniel.
“Daniel was an incredibly popular and much-loved member of the Horse Trust family and his loss has been a particularly hard one for the whole team who provided him with so much love, care and attention until the very end,” a spokesman for the charity mentioned.
Daniel began his profession with the Met Police, the place he spent 4 years. When the Great Scotland Yard stables had been being refurbished, his unit was moved to the Royal Mews, the place Daniel caught the attention of the Crown Equerry. When the police returned dwelling, Daniel stayed the place he was, remaining on the mews for 15 years.
Daniel was one in every of The Queen’s harness horses at occasions together with Trooping the Colour, state visits and Royal Ascot.
“He was so popular, he was one of The Queen’s favourite horses!” the spokesman mentioned.
“Daniel’s popularity earned him some significant claims to fame; his photo featured in the Royal Mews official souvenir guide as well as on a Royal Mail stamp collection commemorating Britain’s working horses. That year, Daniel and his stablemate and current Horse Trust resident Storm were immortalised in a life-size statue on the Peanut Roundabout in Windsor, commissioned by local residents to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.”
Daniel retired to the Horse Trust in 2017, and, the spokesman mentioned, quickly turned a favorite with workers and guests, in addition to offering “endless entertainment”.
“We know that so many of our supporters will share our heartbreak at such a huge loss; Daniel was a regular on the yard and walking past his old stable won’t be the same for a very long time.”
In 2019 Daniel ruptured a suspensory ligament.
“With the help of Professor Roger Smith and his team at the Royal Veterinary College, against the odds, Daniel recovered from this injury,” the spokesman mentioned. “He was the absolute model patient and spent 10 weeks in a cast. He was very sensible on box rest and lapped up the attention from visitors. After several months of rehabilitation, Daniel was able to return to the paddock with his friends.”
Daniel then sustained a tendon harm, to a entrance leg, however was once more a “model patient”.
“Recently Daniel was able to spend a couple of months back out in a small paddock but sadly his injury recurred,” the spokesman mentioned. “Over the final yr we had seen his arthritis catching up with him and whereas this was properly managed throughout his rehabilitation, it made him very stiff again on field relaxation. It was sadly realised that we may not guarantee Daniel had a great high quality of life forward of him and with heavy hearts we needed to let him go.
“Daniel, we are so heartbroken to have had to say goodnight to you. You were such a huge character and an incredibly special horse who was loved by so many in the police, the Royal Mews and at the Horse Trust. We take comfort in knowing you are now with former friends and colleagues galloping over the rainbow bridge. Goodnight our handsome Daniel, you are missed so greatly by us all and the Daniel-shaped hole in our hearts will take some time to heal.”
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Credit: Lancashire Police
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