October 12, 2015 
A horse believed to be the world’s oldest equine, passed away over the weekend at the ripe old age of 50.
FIFTY! Fiddy. 5-0. Half-a-hunny.
Orchid, a thoroughbred-arabian cross, was the senior resident at the Remus Horse Sanctuary in Ingatestone, Essex, UK. Orchid arrived at the sanctuary in June of 2014 in dire condition. No longer useful as a broodmare, she had endured years of abuse and neglect before being rescued.
(Remus Horse Sanctuary/Caters)
According to Remus Horse Sanctuary founder Sue Burton, Orchid was enjoying her life at her new home as her condition steadily improved. Ultimately, she was unable to overcome a recent bout with colic when it was determined nothing could be done to keep her comfortable.
As Dr. Jo Ireland, equine veterinary researcher at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, told the BBC: “Estimates in the UK suggest that only 2% of our equine population are over the age of 30 years, so up to 50 years of age is considered very old and would definitely be equivalent to a ‘super centenarian’ in human terms.”
I should say.
These statistical anomalies seem to be a theme in Great Britain. In 1822, the residents of Manchester mourned the loss of Old Billy, who lived to be 62 and still considered the longest living horse on record.
In 2013, the world said goodbye to a 51-year-old Irish Draught/Thoroughbred named Shayne, who just like Orchid, spent his final days in the comfort of the Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex.
Hearts out to the fine folks at the Remus Horse Sanctuary for giving these super seniors a breath of humanity and a full bucket of feed in their final days. Gallop on, Orchid, gallop on.
(Remus Horse Sanctuary/Caters)
(Remus Horse Sanctuary/Caters)
If you would like to make a donation to the Remus Horse Sanctuary in Orchid’s honor or to help current and future rescues, please visit www.justgiving.com/rmhs/.
