I was present when a business acquaintance's horse was put down. It was a Shire, the largest breed of horse in the world - this one stood six feet six at the shoulder. Her hooves were the size of frying pans. My friend was in his fifties, a successful businessman who drove a pair of Shire horses as a hobby (and for advertising purposes). We watched as that huge, powerful, affectionate and gentle soul folded to the floor. The businessman knelt by her body, put his hands in her mane, and cried. I didn't know the horse at all, but it was terrible.