By Dave Di Somma, Harness news Desk
After a long and generally healthy life, Timely Imp has died peacefully in Canterbury.
He was 37, a milestone generally acknowledged by experts as being the equine equivalent of being 100.
Foaled in 1987, the much-loved former racehorse spent his retirement at Adele Wolt’s property in the Otahuna Valley near Christchurch.
“I am thankful for his team of supporters who were amazed at his spirit and determination to live well, and enabled him to enjoy life,” says Wolt.
During his racing days he had wins at Ashburton and Roxburgh for trainer John Cox in 1992, and he also had eight placings from 40 starts between 1990-94.
As well as being a former racehorse “Impy” also had stints at a riding school and was even a carriage horse for a wedding company.
Wolt had him for about 12 years.
“He came to me as a paddock mate for one of my other horses. A friend of mine had him before that.”
Though his health was generally good he did have some issues in his senior years.
“He had Cushing’s Disease and was on joint products to support his arthritis.”
“Then there was his eyesight,” she laughs, “and his teeth.”
Vet Alisa Smith treated Impy for the last decade. He was the oldest horse she ever worked on.
“He was grey in the face that gave his age away, but he still had some topline (muscle tone) to him and he was in pretty good shape,” said Smith.
“You might think at 37 he wouldn’t have much attitude but he certainly did. His age didn’t affect his ability to get around and boss everyone around as well.”
“I am most especially thankful for Alisa who attended him so wisely for all the years he was with me,” says Wolt.
“He was never alone, there were four other horses here.”
“He was always stabled and rugged at night, he’d get his ears rubbed , his neck scratched and a kiss goodnight.”