In the two years since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we’ve covered the events in the life of her beloved Fell pony Emma. But now another equine has received an award for its contribution to service and especially its role in the Queen’s funeral procession.
Meet Yogi, registered name Lord Firebrand, a military working horse who spent his career in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The handsome black gelding was the lead horse during the funeral procession of the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.
For this and other duties including state opening of Parliament, state visits, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Trooping the Colour, Yogi has been awarded the PDSA Order of Merit ‒ “the animals’ OBE” ‒ in recognition of his outstanding devotion to society, including his role in the late monarch’s lying in state and other royal events. Yogi went “beyond his general role and responsibility by supporting his rider during high-pressure occasions,” Jan McLoughlin, PDSA director general told the BBC.
Yogi retired in December 2023 and is the 55th recipient of the medal.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) was founded in 1917 and is the UK’s veterinary charity, which provides pet owners with funding to help pay vet bills.