Horse Orval
The logging horse's final journey should lead to the slaughterhouse
A great name, a great breed of horse – his departure should have been a final one.
For a few weeks now, Orvalhas been alive, the former back horse from France, in the magnificent grounds of Gut Aiderbichl France. The former owner is now over 80 years old and was no longer able to keep his Orval. So there were only two options for the strong Ardenner: to the abattoir at the age of twenty or to Gut Aiderbichl in France. The latter option was the one that kept Orvalalive.
The Ardennes breed portrait
The history of the Ardennes goes back to prehistoric times and the horse breed has lived where France is today from the very beginning. The Ardennes were bred for various purposes: the Romans used the Ardennes as a riding and draught horse for heavy loads. In the centuries that followed, the horses were used by people as riding and draught horses in battles. At some point, the Ardennes horse was mainly used in agriculture as a workhorse.
Orval is a cold-blooded horse with a broad chest and long, sloping shoulders. His neck is short but strongly muscled, his legs rather short and stocky. His expressive, alert eyes tell a long story as a back horse. Good-natured, relaxed and with a reliable character, Orval has served his purpose well. At a good twenty years old, he has actually reached the maximum age of the Ardennes, but Orval may have decided to spend some more quality time with the many horses, donkeys, dogs and cats at Gut Aiderbichl in France.
Orval has found a special friend at Gut Aiderbichl in France
It’s the peace and quiet, the flair of the large grounds, the old country castle in the centre of the grounds, the tall, ancient trees … Orval likes it all very much. His friend Vigo was admitted a few weeks before him. Vigo is a few years younger than Orval, but the two seem to get on well. Vigo came from Switzerland as a confiscated horse. After being confiscated, he received basic care at an animal hospital and was to be taken in at our farm in France.
Orval and Vigo and all the other rescued animals at the estate in France live there under the care of the staff, who also try to fulfil their every wish. Orval is to be rewarded here for all his achievements as a back horse. He seems to like his new forever home and, above all, all the many horses he can move around the huge facility with.
It’s as if the “old” Orval is smiling with all his friends.
"A small quarter turn transforms our world."
~ Antoine de Saint Exupéry
