1982 Horses killed in I.R.A. Bombing

This atrocity is listed in Social Snapshots 1969-2000 inc

Several articles were printed in Hallmark about the Home of Rest for Horses created at Speen Farm in 1971. Click the following for more :-

Home of Rest for Horses by Walter Stein.

1984 Sefton comes to Lacey Green (biography)

1986 Celebrating the Centenary of the First Home of Rest for Horses. by Miles Marshall

2011 Home of Rest for Horses Updated. copy of a newsletter by Peter Larson of The Horses Trust.

A copy of this article that appeared in the Horses Trust newsletter in July 2016 is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall.

THE BOMBING

This Wednesday 20^th July 2016, The Horses Trust, based at Speen Farm, Lacey Green, will be remembering the tragic victims of the Hyde Park bombing.   It is 34 years since this horrific atrocity in Knightsbridge, a car bomb that killed four soldiers and seven horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

SEFTON, YETI & ECHO

Cavalry horses Sefton and Yeti and Metropolitan police horse Echo, were retired from their duties to The Horses Trust's Home of Rest for Horses, to live out the remainder of their days in the peace and tranquillity of the Chiltern Hills. See 2011 Home of Rest for Horses Updated for the Home's history

SEFTON See 1984 Sefton comes to Lacey Green (biography)

Probably the most remembered of these horses was Sefton.  Born in Ireland and purchased by the army in 1967 for the Household Cavalry, this black gelding with a white blaze and four white socks was known for his bold and wilful character.  Quite headstrong at times, Sefton was at his happiest grazing n the fields amongst his horsey friends.

ECHO

One of these friends was stunning 16.1 hh grey gelding, Echo, the Metropolitan horse who carried the marks of the infamous attack with a piece of shrapnel embedded in his side.   Echo had made a good recovery from his wounds but was unable to continue with his duties as the explosion had made him nervous of traffic and crowds and was retired to the Horses Home of Rest in 1983.   He was the most sweet natured and amiable of horses and contentedly lived at the sanctuary for 20 years until his death from recurring colic in December 2003 at the age of 33.

ACCLAIM

After some time Sefton did return to regimental duties for some time but was a horse very much in demand by the public.   One of his first appearances was at the Horse of the Year Show in October 1982 where he was joined by Echo which immediately brought the audience to a standing and emotional ovation.  Sefton’s last ceremonial outing was at The Queen’s Birthday Parade in June 1984 and he was then retired to The Horse Trust's home at Speen Farm, Lacey Green, at the age of 21.

TREATMENT

At the time of the bomb blast Sefton had suffered 38 penetrating wounds in his body and a piece of metal had severed a main artery in his neck.   It was a miracle of expert and prompt Veterinary attention which saved Sefton’s life but he required further surgery and 3 weeks later was moved to the Veterinary Hospital of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps at the Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray where more pieces were removed.   After enjoying his retirement Sefton passed away in 1993 and it was only fitting that he should be buried at the DAC at Melton.

YETI

The last surviving horse retired at the charity was the 16hh gelding Yeti and he was known as the little horse that everyone forgot.  He endeared himself to everyone and was the epitome of an old gentleman.

LONG & HAPPY LIVES

Shirley Abbott, previous Yard Manager at The Horse Trust recalls, “Yeti and Echo were inseparable and it was a joy to see such gentle animals enjoying the company of each other after such a horrific act of violence.”   She continued, “With the care and expertise of our staff they were able to grow old together and live a long and peaceful life.”