Rest Easy, Longbow

It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved Longbow at the age of 19.

Some horses arrive at our Home of Rest for Horses, and it feels as though they were always meant to find their way here. Longbow was one of those special souls. A stunning black mare with a free spirit, she took to retirement like a duck to water, roaming the fields she loved with her best friend, Kimberly, always by her side.

Longbow dedicated over a decade of service to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR), primarily performing in The Queen’s – now The King’s – Life Guard. Full of life and energy, she had a natural flair for show jumping, often showcasing her talent in military competitions. Beneath her strong will, she was a kind and sensitive soul who cherished life’s simple pleasures.

In 2024, Longbow was retired to The Horse Trust due to lameness. Longbow had been profoundly vet-phobic for many years and when she was retired from the British Army, our teams held a meeting to discuss whether she would adapt to retirement, given her complex needs. When she arrived, naturally turned out, we were delighted by how brilliantly she settled.

Longbow beautifully embraced retirement and appeared to relish just being a horse. She was reunited with her old companion Kimberley, their London-born friendship continuing in the rolling fields of the Chilterns. While she settled into life in the countryside, she also carried a touch of city sophistication, refusing to eat a carrot if it had touched the dust.

Horse Trust Veterinary Assistant Claire formed a special partnership with Longbow, patiently working with her to build confidence through needle training, leading, and catching sessions. Longbow made incredible progress and towards the end looked forward to her training sessions with Claire.

Claire reminisces:

I loved working with her. We were really making progress, and I was heartbroken to say goodbye – though I know it was the kindest decision for her. 

Tragically, Longbow sustained a severe injury that could not be treated. As soon as it happened, we reflected on whether months of stabling and veterinary intervention would be fair for her, so the kindest decision was to say goodbye. Like all the horses at our Home of Rest, Longbow was an individual and decisions regarding her injury were taken with her wellbeing at the heart. While we are devastated by her loss, we take comfort in knowing that her final years were filled with love, freedom, and friendship.

Now, we bid her farewell as she gallops across endless green pastures.

Rest in peace, Longbow. You were truly loved. HTx