Ceremonial Horse Put Down After Being Released From Field

A ceremonial horse released from a field has been put down.

Twenty-one horses escaped from the field near Melton at around 11.15pm last Friday night.

An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested after the horses were let out of their field at The Animal Defence Centre near Melton Mowbray. 

The pair were arrested on suspicion of Public Nuisance and Dangerous Driving and have been released under investigation while the enquiry continues. 

The other horses released are making a steady recovery at the Defence Animal Centre.

Paddy, a horse still in training, developed complications secondary to the injuries he received on the night and had to be euthanised on the morning of Monday 14 August.

Despite receiving the best veterinary care from the MOD and Nottingham University veterinary clinicians, the severe bruising and inflammation in Paddy‘s hind feet developed into irreversible laminitis.

This condition, which is extremely painful, involves the bond between hoof wall and underlying soft tissues separating and the bone of the foot sinking through the sole of the hoof.

Paddy had been receiving 24-hour care since the incident from Army‘s veterinary and farriery team at The Defence Animal Training Regiment but nothing could be done to reverse his condition and it was decided that he should be spared further suffering by putting him to sleep.

All the horses who galloped along the tarmac roads have suffered from sore feet to varying degrees.

One of the horses also has a wound that goes deep into his chest and another a laceration to one of his hind legs. However, both are expected to make a full recovery.

Major Carolyn Whiting and her veterinary team have worked tirelessly since the incident to care for affected horses. So too have Army farriers and grooms from the Defence Animal Training Regiment and Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Eighteen horses remain stabled in order to reduce their movement and give their feet the best chance to heal.

Two of the horses have already been released back into the field and it is hoped that at least 10 more will be well enough to be released in the next two to three weeks.

The remaining eight are expected to take up to six months to fully recover.

It is too early to say what if any psychological effects the incident will have on the horses.

The Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Mark Morrison said:

“Our veterinary team, farriers and grooms are delivering genuinely expert support to our horses. I couldn’t be more proud of the team, what they have done and what they continue to do. I am also grateful to Dr John Burford, Assistant Professor in Equine Surgery at the Nottingham University Veterinary School, who not only came out in the early hours to help carry out the initial assessment on the horses, but continues to provide unfaltering support to our team.”

It took more than three hours for the horses to be rounded up and returned to their stables last week.

British Army horses are usually given a break from their duties with stints at grass at the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray which is the home of the Equine Training Squadron.

The squadron is responsible for delivering trained horses to the Household Cavalry and King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and for training riding instructors and farriers for the mounted units.

Last month, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment took a break from their regular ceremonial duties and was sent to Bodney Camp for a holiday.