For Joy (For Pleasure/Don Carlos/Antrieb)
We at Callaho are very sad to inform you all that we have had to make a very difficult decision today – one that many caring animal owners have to make in the responsible care of their animals. As professional horsemen and women the horse’s quality of life is of the utmost importance and therefore, based on veterinary diagnosis, we have decided to have For Joy euthanased.
After consulting with senior veterinarians, all are united in the view that at age 24, For Joy’s body is no longer affording him a quality life that is acceptable to the norms of humane animal care. His health has continued to regress to a point where we can no longer bear to see him live in discomfort for purely sentimental reasons. Making the decision to let our beloved animals pass on is always heart-breaking, but his arthritis, and urinary and digestive problems have now progressed to the point where we can’t keep him at ease any longer. Although he tries to remain bright and cheerful, composed and noble – behaving like the gentleman he always was – we think that it is only fair to let our beloved stallion go now, in a dignified way.
We would like to thank all those who have been involved with For Joy since his arrival in South Africa, from the veterinarians who have had to make this highly unpleasant yet professional decision – across to the entire spectrum of persons who have ever had anything to do with this amazing horse. In particular, thanks to Jaco Fourie, who produced him at the ultimate level and helped make him, not what he was, but what he still is today. Ten years ago For Joy took the country by storm in the dressage ring and crept deep into the hearts of many people all over SA. He was a real celebrity!
His legacy will live on in his progeny… and in our memories.
Team Callaho.
The Horse’s Prayer
A 19th Century English Prayer for Carriage Horses:
Feed me, water and care for me and, when the day’s work is done, provide me with a clean shelter, a clean dry bed and a stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.
Be always gentle to me, and talk to me; your voice often means more than the reins.
Pat me sometimes that I may serve you more gladly and learn to love thee.
Do not jerk the reins, and do not whip me going up a hill.
Never strike beat or kick me when I do not understand what you mean, but give me a chance to understand you.
Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding, see if I something is wrong with my harness, or my feet.
Don’t draw the straps too tight.
Give me freedom to move my head.
If you insist on me wearing blinkers to keep me from looking around, at least see to it that they do not press against my eyes.
Don’t make my load too heavy and don’t leave me tied up in the rain.
Have me well shod, examine my teeth when I do not eat; I may have an ulcerated tooth and that you know if painful enough.
Do not tie my head in an unnatural position, or take away my best defense against flies by cutting off my tail.
I cannot tell you I am thirsty, so please give me pure cold water frequently.
Do all you can to protect me from the sun and throw a cover over me when I am standing out in the cold.
Don’t force an ice cold bit into my mouth, but warm it first in some water or in your hands.
I always try to do cheerfully the work you require of me and day and night I stand hours waiting for you.
And finally, my master, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to a cruel owner to be slowly tortured and starved to death.
But do thee, my master, take my life in the kindest way.
And your God will reward you here and thereafter.
May you not think me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable.
AMEN
