Horse Orval
The last way of the wooden back horse should lead to the slaughterhouse
A great name, a great breed of horse - his departure should have been a final one.
Since a few weeks, Orval, the former back horse from France, has been living in the beautiful grounds of Gut Aiderbichl France. The former owner is now over 80 years old, and no longer felt able to keep his Orval. So there were only two possibilities for the strong Ardennes horse: to the slaughterhouse at the age of twenty or to Gut Aiderbichl in France. The latter option was the one that kept Orval alive.
The Ardennes breed portrait
The history of the Ardennes goes back to prehistoric times and the horse breed lived from the beginning where France is today. The Ardennes were bred for various purposes: it was considered a riding and draft horse for heavy loads by the Romans. In the following centuries, the horses served people as riding and draft horses in battles. At some point, the Ardennes was then 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 probably done his duty. At a good twenty years of age, he has actually reached the maximum age of the Ardenner, but Orval may have decided to spend another nice 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 is the tranquility, the flair of the large complex, in the middle of the complex the old country castle, the tall, ancient trees... all this pleases Orval so much. His friend Vigo was admitted a few weeks before him. Vigo is a few years younger than Orval, but they seem to get along well. Vigo came from Switzerland as a confiscated horse. After the confiscation, he was given basic care in an animal hospital and was supposed to find a home on our estate in France.
Orval and Vigo and all the other rescued animals at the estate in France live under the care and attention of the staff, who also try to read all their wishes from their eyes. Orval is here to be rewarded for all he has done as a back horse. He seems to like his new forever home and, above all, all the many horses with which he can move around the huge facility.
It is as if the "old" Orval is smiling with all his friends.
"A little quarter turn transforms our world."
~ Antoine de Saint Exupéry
