Billy the Red put down at 15...?

[helffrich]

From across the pond: Many of us have loved following Tina Cook and Billy the Red over the years.
And we find out that 15 yo Billy has been put down because he didn't enjoy being retired/turned out in the field.
The whole communication sounds like no health issues are involved so, wondering.
No judgment, as Tina is highly regarded in my books but, please, enlighten me.

 

[Rowreach]

Nobody’s business but the horse’s connections.

 

[meleeka]

The article said “ Tina said Billy had competed at Pau last year, after an injury he sustained a year or so before, but was unlevel before Badminton this year. She turned him out but realised he would not have enjoyed a comfortable retirement” so it sounds as if there was an issue that meant he had to retire and was unhappy with that arrangement. It must have been a very difficult decision to make, given how much he had done for Tina, but keeping an unhappy horse wouldnt have been what he deserved.

 

[helffrich]

The article said “ Tina said Billy had competed at Pau last year, after an injury he sustained a year or so before, but was unlevel before Badminton this year. She turned him out but realised he would not have enjoyed a comfortable retirement” so it sounds as if there was an issue that meant he had to retire and was unhappy with that arrangement. It must have been a very difficult decision to make, given how much he had done for Tina, but keeping an unhappy horse wouldnt have been what he deserved.

Thank you. I read the H&H article but still wondered.
Believe me, I do know how such a decision is heartbreaking to make. The way it comes out in the article, "unlevel" (but with no other health issue ?) caught my attention.
I'm sure Tina made the adequate decision. But the way it's published in the H&H article sounds awkward.

 

[helffrich]

Nobody’s business but the horse’s connections.

Fair enough. I respect that.
But if you choose to communicate about it in the media...

 

[Orangehorse]

I thought it sounded like an injury that was never going to come right.

 

[I<3Cobs]

Tina has also announced her retirement and explains her decision behind Billy and her retirement here.

https://eventingnation.com/thanks-f...ack-at-tina-cooks-career-upon-her-retirement/

 

[oldie48]

The horse was owned by Elizabeth Murdoch, so I assume it would be the owner's decision not Tina's.

 

[ycbm]

The decision comes after the sad death of her top horse, Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s 15-year-old Billy the Red, following a brief attempt at retirement in the field. The gelding competed at Pau CCI5* last autumn, finishing 16th, but hasn’t competed internationally since, as some unevenness of stride became evident in the run-up to Badminton. Being turned out to enjoy his remaining years, Tina explained to H&H, wasn’t a viable or happy solution for the busy-brained, clever little horse, and so the tough decision was made to put him down.

“I took the decision that was right for the horse,” she says in the article, which you can read in full here. “I get so attached to my horses; it was so sad but if they can’t have a happy retirement, you have to do what’s right by the horse. And at the same time as announcing that, I thought maybe now’s the time to say what’s probably going to happen.”

What a lucky, lucky horse to have such caring and knowledgeable owners to make that decision for him.
.

 

[Cortez]

I read that as the horse being too unsound to be comfortable in the field. Best thing to do is euthanise if that's the case.

 

[teapot]

Given Tina got a horse with KS to repeated 5*s, she probably knows what she's doing when it comes to the best management for her horses

Such a shame though, and she's a loss to the top of the sport. Surely must be one of the most consistent riders not to a win a 5*, especially given her Euros/Worlds/Olympic results.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Never easy but sounds like the right decision for the pony. Thinking of all his connections.

Fair enough. I respect that.
But if you choose to communicate about it in the media...

I imagine it was only announced or communicated via social media because he was well known.

I post a little bit on my FB about my pony and would likely post about his passing (I think) but I'd be unlikely to share details as just because people might know he likes stealing Pimms and chips at pub rides and he has won various frillies doesn't mean people are entitled to know about medical history or the decisions I make.

I don't see it as any different just on a bigger scale.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I am so sorry to hear about Tina’s sad loss and her decision to retire from top level sport. She must be dealing with an awful lot right now.

Billy the Red has always been described as quirky which, in such experienced and talented hands as Tina’s and being in full competition level work, is probably a generous description.

I tried to retire Lady Gascoyne and honestly, I shouldn’t have. She was an absolute nightmare, and eventually did break her leg, which was probably inevitable. At the time, I couldn’t see it clearly but with hindsight, a long happy retirement in a field isn’t possible for every horse and mine was stressy and awkward for several years and then did something catastrophic.

Even if the horse was 100% sound, there are many reasons for retirement not to be a viable option.

 

[Penguin_Toes]

Given Tina got a horse with KS to repeated 5*s, she probably knows what she's doing when it comes to the best management for her horses

Such a shame though, and she's a loss to the top of the sport. Surely must be one of the most consistent riders not to a win a 5*, especially given her Euros/Worlds/Olympic results.

She never won a 5*? That's crackers, I would never have thought that! Such an incredible rider.

 

[helffrich]

Given Tina got a horse with KS to repeated 5*s, she probably knows what she's doing when it comes to the best management for her horses

Such a shame though, and she's a loss to the top of the sport. Surely must be one of the most consistent riders not to a win a 5*, especially given her Euros/Worlds/Olympic results.

Yes, great loss indeed. Of both rider and horse.

 

[ihatework]

Oh how sad, this had completely bypassed me.

I’ve got a little buzzy Balou and a few seem to have come from a similar mould, they are busy and need to be occupied. I can quite see how one might not settle into retirement well.

Condolences to his connections. He was an awesome horse.

 

[Honey08]

It’s really sad news. I always liked the horse very much and have always thought that Tina was one of the most impressive riders. Very quiet and understated, no fan clubs or dramas, and her horses were always supremely fit and healthy. I always thought I’d choose to send a horse to her if I was ever lucky enough to have a top class horse.