On This Date in Minnesota History: January 4

January 4, 1913 - Flying Cloud, said by veterinarians to be the oldest horse in the world, died at Medicine Lake, Minn., today, aged 38 and one half years. The horse was owned by Martin Jevne and had been useful up to the time of his death, which came from old age. The animal was a fast trotter in his prime and Jevne entered him in several races in which he stepped off the mile in fast time.

The horse was a dark bay, born in 1873 and at the age of five was one of the finest driving horses in South Minneapolis. Jevne always used the steed as a coach horse and says the animal was never worked hard. He always took good care of him and states that the “Cloud” was enjoying the best of health two days before his death.

Charles E. Colton, one of the prominent horse specialists of Minneapolis, said this evening that he had never heard of a horse living more than 35 years. “I have been dealing with horses for many years and have seen many old horses but Jevne’s horse has all of them beaten as far as I know. The horse lived an extremely long life.”

The average length of a horse’s life is between 15 and 20 years, according to several veterinarians. They were united in declaring that Flying Cloud was undoubtedly the oldest animal in the country. Jevne mourns the loss of Flying Cloud as the horse had always been a faithful animal. He became very attached to the animal during its long years of service.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “World’s Oldest Horse Is Dead At Medicine Lake, Aged 38½ Years. Veterinarians Say No Horse Before Ever Lived To Such An Age—Flying Cloud Had Been a Good Trotter in His Day.”; Jan. 5, 1913; p. 1.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Jan. 4, 2017,
as long as acknowledgement included.  

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