07/01/2025
It is with great sadness I have to tell you that Eldjarn from Pentland Hills was put to sleep yesterday in the yard with Susan his one trusted owner and friend beside him. It was unexpected but very peaceful. For those that didn’t know him, he was one of the ‘oldies’ at Rogersrigg.
For some unknown reason, as happens with horses sometimes, he took colic late in the night and Paula found him early morning when putting a bale out. We got him back up to the yard to meet the vet and although his vital signs were not good he was at peace. Colic surgery for such a horse was not to be contemplated and Susan made the only correct decision for Eldjarn, heartbreaking though it was. And so sudden.
Eldjarn was a big presence wherever he went and made lots of friends (and a few enemies) throughout his life, his very best friend to the end being chum Vindsvalur. He was a very tall, sensitive dark chestnut chap born at Windy Gowl in 2000 and after training, Susan bought him and has been his life long friend and carer for the last 18 years.
He could be quite difficult to handle and he never really liked Paula or me but he would do anything for Susan and always looked after her when out riding for all those years. Others would have had problems with this big bolshy horse but he was always putty in Susan’s hands and they were able to enjoy so many years of riding into the hills and venturing further on the longer rides. When Susan bought Eldjarn I have to admit I wondered a little at the beginning if it was a good match but it turned out to be a match made in heaven thanks to Susan’s gentle ways and her experienced riding abilities.
Eldjarn couldn’t have wished for a better owner or a happier life in the same place with the same friends from birth to the end.
We will certainly miss his all powerful presence in the field as will his horse chums.
