In April, the top horse Chromatic BF suddenly died.
The horse has now been autopsied – but despite this, there are differing opinions about the cause of death.
It was ahead of the World Championship final that Jill Humphreys' horse, Chromatic BF, suddenly died. Following this, the international equestrian federation announced that an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of the sudden death.
The autopsy has now been completed, reports Tidningen Ridsport, citing The Chronicle of the Horse, and according to the protocol, the cause of death is listed as lung haemorrhage and oedema (a symptom where there is excessive fluid in the tissue). However, it has not yet been established what caused the lung haemorrhage, and opinions on this are divided.
According to the US Equestrian Federation, there may be several causes. Among other things, a training-induced lung haemorrhage is mentioned as a possible cause. This refers to a type of collapse that occurs due to excessive exertion and stress. Something the horse owner does not agree with.
According to the owner, it is more likely that an injection of a muscle-relaxing preparation, selvit, triggered the lung haemorrhage. The injection was administered by a veterinarian dispatched by the American team. Something the owner claims not to have been informed about in advance.
However, the autopsy report does not provide any evidence to support either claim, and therefore, it is not possible to determine what triggered the bleeding.
The owner is now considering legal action against the US Equestrian Federation.