Horses for Courses

A family friend, who had offered her services to house-sit, was traumatised by having to arrange for the Veterinary to put down the donkey.

I should add some general notes to that opening sentence as it does sound a bit far-fetched.
i) The house-sitting service was not for profit but to help out longstanding acquaintances of said family friend
ii) The house was in fact a farm
iii) The donkey was already a bit poorly
iv) The Vet had been put on prior notice that he may be required
v) Everything possible was done to prolong the life of the animal but to no avail
vi) Our friend loves donkeys.

That was a few years ago now but the events surrounding what should have been a week away in an idyllic setting on the edge of the North Yorkshire National Park amongst beloved livestock still bring a slight but noticeable waver to the voice.

I did not know the specific donkey but you can be assured that it had a good and happy life. That is a given where a creature is living in the open, in safety, cared for, regularly fed, watered and free to roam and do as much or as little as they desire.

Perhaps the deceased donkey, and I am speculating here, had forged a career taking children for rides on the nearby Scarborough Beach showing characteristics of patience and quiet endurance. It would take such qualities to remain placid when being kicked, punched and verbally abused by youngsters hyped up on sugary drinks and even more sugary candy floss and ice creams.

In spite of the predictability and monotony of being led up and down the same stretch of sand for holiday season after holiday season, generally on the North Sea Coast from April to mid September this would give some time for rest and relaxation in the off-peak months.

My main point, and I could be criticised for plodding along like the unfortunate animal itself before getting to it, is that donkeys and horses generally are bred and kept for service to humans whether it be in hard grafting, leisure or sport and are valued for that role.

In the history of mankind our equine friends have more than partnered achievements in conquest, travel, pioneering, trade and commerce.

We are all familiar with the horses of great rulers, conquerors and leaders such as Bucephalus, Copenhagen, Marengo and Little Texas.

The Conquistadors used horses to great effect in their subjugation of the native South Americans and where would the great explorers and teamsters be without their pack animals and wagon trains?

In popular fiction and media we have laughed and cried with "Black Beauty", "On White Horses" and who, as a child or adult, has not pretended to "Heigh-Ho -Silver" or even "My Little Pony" with high legged prancing and attempted neighing.

Mechanisation and automation has in much of the industrialised world reduced the need for horses for heavy work and so their role has changed.

We are more likely now to come across horses in sport and recreation and no more evident than in the running, today, of the world's greatest steeplechase - The Grand National which was inaugurated in 1839.

I understand that in spite of the usual mayhem associated with fallen horses and riders over the huge jumps and ditches all of the runners and riders survived to participate again.

The Aintree festival of racing which includes the Grand National has however seen four fatalities this year in the supporting events which has made it the deadliest meeting in the last three years.

In the last 16 years some 42 mounts have died at Aintree which is a sad fact and even though I am not a gambler with a vested interest I still feel some emotion at the thought of this.

Their loss has not been lightly taken.

For each magnificent creature there is one or more owners, the jockey and stable staff, supporters and sympathisers and the gambling public.

There have been calls for many years to make racing safer or even outlaw it altogether from pressure groups in the animal rights sector but I contend that  horses thrive and enjoy the sheer physicality and athleticism which are integral parts of their everyday lives whether in training or in competition.

We should continue to celebrate our equine friends in their lives and sometimes glorious departures with the same dedication and faithfulness that they have always, unconditionally, shown to Man.