Queen Elizabeth felt pained after losing all five of her most adored ponies

Queen Elizabeth felt a deep sense of loss after all five of her studs passed away due to a mysterious disease breakout. 

Called Equine Grass Sickness (EGS), the ailment affected the health of the Queen's beloved pet horses, reported British Horse Society magazine.

"There is so much we need to know," Balmoral stud manager Sylvia Ormiston said. "We don’t even really know how many equines die of EGS each year because testing doesn’t always happen."

"Here at Balmoral we are prepared to help in any way we can to make progress towards a cure for this dreadful disease."

The deadly disease is thought to be triggered by toxins which attack the nervous system and eventually paralyse the animal's gut.

Ormiston, who has been working with the Queen since 1952, said that they are proud of their herd.

"I do often have comments saying how well-mannered the ponies are, and when I hear this, I know my job is done!"

Revealing how Queen Elizabeth is always so involved in making decisions about her ponies, Ormiston added, "The Queen is involved in every decision we make."

"We try and breed the traits we want, then give them the right education and handling from the word go.

The royal ponies are then shown for the Queen’s pleasure because she likes to take part. A prize is a bonus!" Ormiston concluded.