September 25, 2009

The Horse Trust in Britain has said goodbye to a skewbald gelding who had a high profile career working for the Household Cavalry, the most senior regiment in the British Army.

Janus, 25, a majestic drum horse who had been based at the Household Cavalry's Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge before retiring to The Horse Trust, passed away peacefully under his favourite tree in the sanctuary's fields on Monday.

Janus, who stood at 17.2 hands and weighed over a tonne, gave more than 10 years service to the army, and was involved in several prestigious state occasions, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebration, the Queen's Birthday Parade and the State Opening of Parliament.

Janus was a Drum Horse for the Blues and Royals Regiment and was responsible for leading the procession of horses carrying the famous solid silver kettledrums.

The gentle giant was a favourite among staff and visitors to the sanctuary and will be missed by all that knew him, in particular his two best friends at the sanctuary, retired drum horses Constantine (Eric) and Leonidas (Leo).

Janus, Eric and Leo were inseparable and were often seen enjoying each other's company in the fields grazing peacefully.

Janus at a day old.

"Janus will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew him," said Paul Jepson, chief executive and resident veterinary director of the trust.

"He gave many years loyal service to the Household Cavalry and was loved by staff, volunteers and visitors to The Horse Trust."

A highlight of his retirement was in May 2002, when he took part in the All the Queen's Horses extravaganza at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The spectacular event paid tribute to the Queen's lifelong interest in horses and Janus was proudly paraded alongside 1000 other horses.

Throughout his retirement at the trust's Home of Rest for Horses he suffered a number of arthritis-related diseases, including navicular, sidebone and ringbone, and also laminitis and a respiratory condition called recurrent airway obstruction.

Although Janus's conditions could not be cured they were managed successfully by a combination of remedial farriery, veterinary care and good husbandry.

Until 2006, Janus was able to come into his stable daily to meet visitors. However, as his arthritic joints worsened, he spent less time in his stable, preferring to spend time in the fields with his friends Leo and Eric.

Sadly, a recent bout of laminitis triggered several associated problems that could no longer be brought under control. His quality of life was impaired and so the sad decision was made to put him to sleep in the same dignified manner that he had lived his life.