Horse who led Queen's coffin given ‘OBE for animals'

A equine who led the procession of the Queen's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall has been awarded the "animals' OBE".

Lord Firebrand, known arsenic Yogi, was awarded the PDSA Order of Merit successful designation of his outstanding devotion to society, including his relation successful the precocious monarch's lying successful authorities and different royal events.

The subject moving horse, who was portion of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery based successful Woolwich, retired successful December 2023 and is the 55th recipient of the medal.

The foundation said helium had provided "unique affectional support" to his riders passim his career.

Known for his calm temperament, Yogi was entrusted to pb astatine large ceremonies including the authorities opening of Parliament, authorities visits, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Trooping the Colour.

His rider, Capt Amy Cooper, said Yogi was the lone equine she could spot to present "such a high-profile parade, nether specified scrutiny and pressure."

Capt Cooper said: "Yogi is ever the archetypal prime for immoderate parade commander."

The PDSA, the UK's largest veterinary charity, is celebrating a decennary of awarding the medal, described by the carnal foundation arsenic the "animals' OBE", to animals who person demonstrated outstanding devotion to their proprietor oregon wider society.

Jan McLoughlin, PDSA manager general, said Yogi went "beyond his wide relation and work by supporting his rider during high-pressure occasions."

Also honoured astatine the ceremony, was a brace of detection dogs who person conducted much than 1,000 constabulary searches each twelvemonth and uncovered much than £5m successful transgression cash. Yoyo and Scamp are the 53rd and 54th recipients of the award.

Last year, a Labrador was awarded with a medal for his 11-year vocation arsenic a occurrence probe dog.