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New Boy on the Block
Gallipoli our new retired Police Horse arrived from the Metropolitan Police on Friday 6th May.
Gallipoli is a 13 year old Police Horse that has retired from the Metropolitan Police, he is a handsome and lively horse and we are very pleased to welcome him here at the Sanctuary.
Gallipoli was a great Police Horse and was liked by all that knew him, he started life at Lewisham and subsequently served at West Hampstead , Wandsworth , and latterly at Hyde Park stables.
Gallipoli has performed the whole spectrum of Mounted Duties during his service including all of London's football stadiums , Live 8 concert at Wembley , RHA escorts and Notting Hill Carnival.
Unfortunately Gallipoli was diagnosed with low grade wobblers syndrome in June 2006, this is a condition that affects his spine and although he has been able to work since his diagnosis, it had recently started to affect Gallipoli, so the Police decided it was time that he was retired so that he can enjoy the rest of his life without the stress of being ridden and the possible pain this had started to cause.
Gallipoli arrived with the usual disruption to the sleepy village of Manaton, the large Police lorry is so big that it takes up half of the village, but we don't mind as it is always nice to see the transporters and grooms.
When the doors opened we were greeted by a horse that was very eager to see his new surroundings.
Gallipoli came off the lorry like a fire cracker he was so keen to see where he would be living, his ears were moving around all over the place trying to listen to all the new sounds of the countryside. I don't think that we have ever seen a horse so excited to be in a new place and so alert to everything that was going on.
Once off the lorry we were ready to start the half mile walk to the Sanctuary, the groom had a struggle to keep up with him, that was until he discovered all the long grass and wild flowers in the hedges and walls, Gallipoli thought this was wonderful and made a sudden stop to have a little snack.
We finally arrived at the Sanctuary and Gallipoli was introduced to his new stable and his new companion Vera, he was very excited about all that was going on around him and when it came time for his groom to say goodbye he didn't seem bothered at all, however that wasn't the case for long as he suddenly realised that she had gone and he was left behind with lots of new people, it took him a while before he stopped looking for her.
On the Saturday morning he has his first outing into the paddock, this was met with lots of enthusiasm and lots or galloping around and bucking, thankfully this didn't last too long as he soon used up all his energy and spent the rest of the weekend getting over his long trip and getting to know his new friends.
Gallipoli seems to be taking to retirement like a pro, he is now very relaxed and the perfect gentleman with all of our helpers and visitors, he is a very happy horse and has a lovely nature, we are all looking forward to spending time getting to know him better.