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Gone but not forgotten...
Mr Twister
Here at The Horse Trust, it’s never easy to say farewell to our beloved residents when the time comes to say goodbye. For this resident, his final goodbyes came as such a shock that we still can’t believe he is really gone.
Mr Twister (aka Bert) was described as the epitome of an Officer’s Charger both in looks and his parade presence. ‘Bert’ was part of all major ceremonial and State occasions carried out by the King’s Troop RHA during his career and took part in numerous parades. The pinnacle of his extraordinary career was leading the cortege at Baroness Thatcher’s state funeral and keeping his steady pace and calm temperament even in the face of protestors trying to disrupt the funerals progress.
We all sincerely hoped that we would have had a few more happy years with Bert in his retirement with us, but it was not to be. Mr Twister had suffered many injuries in his life that required medication. Sadly after his surgery to treat a very rare cyst in his central tarsal bone, he developed a rare but fatal complication that irreparably damaged his gut and
caused him to suffer a fatal colic. There was no turning back and there was no choice. At least he was on lots of medication, and so pain free.
We have so many wonderful memories of Mr Twister in such a relatively short time. From his grand ceremonial retirement at Royal Windsor Horse Show (where he thought he was a four years old again!) to his more recent avid flirtation with Silverdale of Lancashire Police. He was a true gentleman; everyone who met him fell in love with him and he really is gone too soon at only 17.
Bertie, you had an incredible life and you were possibly one of the most loved horses to have ever lived. You left your mark on all who cared for you, rode you, treated you or met you over a stable door. Sleep tight beautiful boy, pain free and with comrades who have gone before. There are so many who will never forget you, no-one here will.
It is our duty and our privilege to care for these wonderful horses in their twilight years and also to know when it is best for them to let them go for that final sleep. Here are some more of our recent goodbyes and the many tears they have left behind.
ZULU SAM SLICK LOCHNAGAR VALERIAN BRIGADIER SNODGRASS NANCY
Visit our NEWS page via www.horsetrust.org.uk for more information on our gone but not forgotten residents