World famous grass-allergic horse put down

26 October 2004

AMSTERDAM — Sven, the horse famous for his allergic reaction to grass, was put down on Sunday, his Dutch owner has confirmed.

“Even with medicine, he didn’t have a life anymore,” said owner Frank Janssen, of Thesinge in the province of Groningen.

The animal became famous lat year after it was revealed he had been diagnosed with an extremely rare allergy to grass. Sven underwent an examination at the University of Utrecht in March 2003 which confirmed little could be done for the horse.

When the Welsh Cob ate grass, his nose, throat and nasal cavity swelled, almost restricting his breathing entirely. His vocal cord were also paralysed by the illness.
Sven’s condition could not be treated by an operation, but medicine extended the horse’s life by 12 months, news agency ANP reported.

Hundreds of people from the Netherlands, Belgium and even Australia offered financial support to keep the horse alive.

Sven, who was 19, has been cremated. More information in Dutch can be found at the website www.paardsven.nl.

Subject: Dutch news