Goodnight, Casper

It is with a very heavy heart that we bring you the devastatingly sad news of the loss of retired Riding for the Disabled Association and well-loved sponsor pony, Casper.

A true gentlemen and a shining star both in his career with Riding for the Disabled Association member organisation the Windsor & Ascot Driving Group as a carriage driving pony but also here at our Home of Rest, Casper will be missed by so many of us.

With a tough beginning, Casper was rescued by the British Horse Society in a very sorry state indeed but with hard work and dedication, he was rehabilitated and by 2003 was ready to join Windsor and Ascot Driving Group, a Riding for the Disabled member organisation, as a driving pony. Despite his difficult start, Casper took to his new career like a duck to water and spent 14 years teaching disabled people to drive. Popular with everyone and known for instilling confidence in his coachmen, Casper carried people in his carriage of all ages. Due to his gentle and easy nature, Casper got to enjoy many outings and events during his career, such as Windsor Horse Show, picnic drives to Windsor Great Park and trips to Ascot racecourse on several occasions! Such a special soul, Casper even participated in a unique driving experience for a seriously ill child whose wish was to ride in a carriage with a “white” pony, which was arranged by the Starlight Wish Children’s Charity. A mascot for the British Horse Society, Casper featured on badges and was even depicted as part of a painting created by Nikki Moore for the British Horse Society’s Diamond Jubilee.

After 14 years’ service, Casper began to suffer with low grade lameness issues that meant it was time for him to hang up his harness and join us here at The Horse Trust and we were glad to welcome him to our herd. Standing at only 9.3hh, Casper was small among our other retirees and his appearance was more striking than most, with a horse’s head on a pony’s body, giving rise to the affectionate nickname ‘Box-troll’. Casper was extremely fit and well-muscled from his driving career and his resemblance was not unlike a miniature police horse on arrival! Known as a willing and happy pony who hung back at feed time when at his RDA group, this never changed in his retirement here with us in the Chiltern Hills and Casper continued to be a placid chap throughout his time with us. This led to him becoming one of our sponsor residents, especially as he loved to come into his stable on the yard to greet the many members of the public who visited to give him scratches. He was even visited by one of the lucky folks who used to drive him back in his youth!

After over 5 years of retirement, Casper started to suffer with arthritis in his shoulders which was being managed by our veterinary surgeon and devoted equine care team, with specialist medical intervention and medication. A new management routine was also implemented which allowed him time in his own paddock to rest. In his advanced age, Casper had lost some teeth and found it hard to maintain a stable, healthy weight throughout the winter months so the time in his paddock also allowed him to get some extra grass. Despite all these measures, Casper’s pain level became too difficult to keep under control and with the concern about his weight with the colder weather coming, it was decided that at 27 years old, the kindest thing to do to put Casper to sleep and avoid him suffering.

Like many of our retirees, Casper lived a full and wonderfully exciting life before enjoying a peaceful and well-earned retirement here, with all the care and love he deserved. Truly one of a kind, Casper cannot be replaced in our herd or in our hearts, but we are at peace knowing that he will no longer know pain and will live forever in the memories of all those whose lives he has touched with his special box-troll magic. Rest in peace, kind and gentle Casper.