Rest In Peace, Samson

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of one of our cherished residents, Samson, at the age of 24. Our supporters may remember our recent post about his health struggles, and it was eventually decided that the kindest decision was to say goodbye.

A towering 18.2hh grey gelding, Samson was a gentle giant who brought light, laughter, and unforgettable memories to all who knew him, in particular his wonderful sponsors who followed him throughout his retirement.

Samson began his journey as a falconry display horse in Hampshire, where his calm nature and majestic presence made him a crowd favourite. But it was his move to Thames Valley Police (TVP) at the age of 12 that truly defined his legacy. Despite his unorthodox start, Samson quickly took to policing with remarkable ease, earning a reputation as a brave, reliable, and hardworking member of the mounted branch.

PC Webb whose first horse on the job was Samson, remarked on his career during his retirement in 2017:

He was used to crowds and settled into the situation really quickly, he soon became one of our best horses — he was Mr Reliable.

Within just six months, Samson was patrolling high-profile football matches, carrying out public reassurance patrols, and escorting the Late Queen, Elizabeth II at Royal Ascot with PC Webb – a highlight of their career.

Samson’s working years were as colourful as they were demanding. He participated in ceremonial parades, school visits, and even search patrols for missing persons. His courage shone during a violent demonstration in Brighton, where the horses and officers involved received a Commendation for bravery. Despite the rigours of his duties, Samson’s charismatic side often shone through. Every morning, before patrol or a big event, he needed a thorough wash – typical of a grey, he made sure he got as muddy as possible!

He was lovingly nicknamed “Sammy Sausage” by his colleagues, a name which accompanied him into retirement in 2017.

At the age of 16, Samson joined our Home of Rest herd due to intermittent lameness and back issues. TVP colleagues fondly joked on his arrival that it didn’t take Samson long to “gallop off into the sunset” with his new “girlfriend” Rosalind, a former Horse Trust resident. His arrival also reunited him with Caesar, another retired TVP horse, forming a duo of the largest horses in the herd.

Samson’s most iconic friendship however, was with Alf, a former Cleveland Police horse. The pair were inseparable, sharing a bond and labrador-like traits that brought endless joy to those around them. Together, they were often the source of hilarious escapades, such as dismantling a trough and flooding the barn (twice!) in what can only be described as a spirited game of mischief.

Samson’s personality made him a firm favourite among supporters, and he regularly featured in our “Tongue Out Tuesday” posts, showcasing his impressively long tongue. Over the years, he became a treasured sponsor horse, helping to connect supporters with our mission to provide gold-standard care for equine heroes. He was always a big hit with visitors. This summer’s ‘Meet-and-Greet’ with Alf brought smiles to countless faces, and his towering stature and most recent feature in our Christmas card drew comparisons to Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia.

In recent months, Samson’s health began to decline. His arthritis, which had been manageable for years, worsened significantly, making life increasingly uncomfortable for our beloved “big lad.” Due to underlying Cushing’s disease, Samson was unable to heal as effectively as other horses. Despite the efforts of our veterinary and equine care teams, his condition sadly did not improve. After an afternoon spent grazing and being thoroughly spoiled by the team, the kindest decision was made to let him go peacefully, surrounded by love.

PC Webb, on behalf of Thames Valley Police Mounted Section, said:

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Samson but find comfort in the fact that he was able to enjoy a long and happy retirement with The Horse Trust who cared for him so well. During his career, Samson and I soon built a solid partnership and he was the first to come and sniff my pockets for his favourite treat, a Bourbon biscuit! He had a cheeky personality, loved to stick his tongue out for photos and was a great escape artist! Rest in Peace Samson, you were our real life unicorn and will be missed.

Steven, Equine Care Officer at The Horse Trust, who worked closely with Samson during his retirement, said:

Samson was a true gentle giant and was a pleasure to deal with. He made up 50% of the comic duo with Alf and the pair were often getting up to antics that they perceived to be fun but would quite often hold up the process of morning field checks. Being a typical grey, Samson loved to lie down and was usually determined to work his way through all the shades of Brown that we had to offer. He will leave a massive Samson sized void in the herd and will be dearly missed my everyone who was lucky enough to interact with him.

Jeanette Allen, CEO of The Horse Trust, remarked:

This place already feels different without him. Life without Samson will take some big adjustments. No other 18.2hh horse would have stood so patiently in their stable for two months as he did when recovering from a fractured leg. This is just one example of Samson’s immense kindness, patience, and gentle spirit. He will be deeply missed.

Samson’s name, derived from the word for “sun,” is a fitting tribute to the warmth, strength, and radiance he brought into all our lives. He was a horse of many talents, with a career of falconry displays, police work, followed by a joyful retirement filled with beautiful friendships and a lot of fun. He leaves behind a legacy of courage, kindness, and countless fond memories. We will be keeping a close eye on Alf in the coming weeks after the loss of his best pal.

Rest in peace, Samson, our “Big Friendly Giant.” You will forever be missed but never forgotten. HTx