tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post542826356302358702..comments2024-01-06T11:22:03.305-08:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: SadJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-32603452099399280662011-11-27T07:20:11.686-08:002011-11-27T07:20:11.686-08:00Thanks again, all. I brought my 31 year old Gunner...Thanks again, all. I brought my 31 year old Gunner home on Thanksgiving and the joy my son and I have felt at having him at home again has helped balance the sorrow of knowing that ET and Rebby are gone. There is always much to be thankful for. As kel said, I know we gave those two a good life. And as Aarene pointed out, we saved them from going through any real suffering. I am still sad, but I feel OK about it now.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-13833165084546631912011-11-27T05:59:01.659-08:002011-11-27T05:59:01.659-08:00I know the holidays can be sad after the death of ...I know the holidays can be sad after the death of an animal/part of the family.You did the right thing.lavernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17251652843205245636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-84165307032387422762011-11-25T14:15:34.044-08:002011-11-25T14:15:34.044-08:00joyce--Yes, its very specific how we make these ch...joyce--Yes, its very specific how we make these choices. For the two we euthanised, ET had really come to the end of the road--he was 31, too thin despite a deluxe diet (he was always a very hard keeper) and mostly deaf and blind and didn't quite seem to know what was going on any more. It was time. Reb was younger, and we might have kept him going, but he had several genetic abnormalities, including an extreme parrot mouth, that made him a poor candidate for the long haul. This on top of the fact that he had a strange waddling uncoordinated gait, caused by EPM or a strained sacroiliac. We just felt he wasn't the right horse to coax into extreme old age. My Gunner, on the other hand, looks OK at 31 and maybe has some good years left. They're all different, aren't they?Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54137162444869946062011-11-25T13:35:56.684-08:002011-11-25T13:35:56.684-08:00Laura, if it's any consolation, one of my hors...Laura, if it's any consolation, one of my horsey friends had a QH mare go up to 38 years before she died from a heart attack. Madam had stopped being used for jumping about three years before her death but Eileen had ridden her just the day before she died.<br /><br />Glad to read that Gunner is settling in okay. I bet both you and he will have a happy winter together!<br /><br />The Morab mare--Shekina--has started many kids on horseback, including G's grandkids and my own son. She came out of retirement this summer to work with one of G's more timid college students, and I almost didn't recognize her when the student led her out to participate in the college class--head high, tail high, she KNEW she was getting to go back to work and was happy about it! And she provided a calm, steady and quiet ride for that timid rider, though from her head carriage you could tell she was remembering younger days when she was quite the pistol (Shekina was responsible for G getting together with his wife, she wouldn't whoa and G trained her...and the rest is history).<br /><br />Heck, I remember Shekina carrying a novice quietly and calmly, then hopping up on her myself--and riding an entirely different horse! One of those rare schoolies capable of adjusting performance based on her perception of rider ability.<br /><br />It's easier to let the critters go when there's something obviously wrong. But the gradual decline is harder to call. Still, this was better than waiting for them to be down and in agony. I had one pony put down where the vet didn't want to do it (she had foundered badly). His rationale was that she was still fairly young.<br /><br />But her pasture companion was an evil bitch toward her, the pony had something else major wrong with her (she had seizures), and I discovered her shivering out in the pasture where the big mare had chased her, in a cold November rain, barely able to walk. It was also close to when I had lost my first, much-loved pony to the complications of founder so I knew darn good and well what the rehab options were, and really, due to her history, she wasn't a good candidate for treatment (it would have been different if the big mare liked her but she hated the pony mare's guts). She'd had a hard history (accidentally bred as a yearling) but we'd given her a decent life. I just couldn't live with the thought of trying to rehab her and then having her either go the way of the first pony, or having the big mare ruin her rehab. And, given the seizures, I didn't know what other complications could strike during rehab. So we put her down. A sad choice, but ultimately probably the best. She wasn't a good pet prospect as she was only good for experienced riders...not a good thing for a Shetland.joycemochanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-84375767858819265152011-11-25T10:54:22.217-08:002011-11-25T10:54:22.217-08:00Once Upon--I'm still dealing with the feeling ...Once Upon--I'm still dealing with the feeling that we didn't HAVE to do it right then. Its a struggle. But my healthy old guy, Gunner, is home and doing OK so far and I am appreciating every moment with him. I know Gunner probably doesn't have too many years left--though my oldest horse, Burt, made it to 36 looking pretty darn good, and died of a massive stroke an hour after he had been trotting briskly around. Everyone's path is different, I guess. I hope I don't have too many old horses where I must draw that seemingly arbitrary line that they are just not doing well enough--though I've had to do that with old cats and dogs, too. Its just very sad.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-37438637271518642962011-11-25T10:33:38.531-08:002011-11-25T10:33:38.531-08:00I'm very sorry for your sadness and loss. You...I'm very sorry for your sadness and loss. You gave them a good, long retirement and a humane passing. I hope my 8 year old mare and I both live long enough so I can do the same for her some day.Once Upon an Equinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08807098276875052982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-39755373735935544302011-11-24T09:36:39.038-08:002011-11-24T09:36:39.038-08:00Thank you so much everybody. Its true, joycemocha,...Thank you so much everybody. Its true, joycemocha, I wondered last year if ET should be put down in the fall, but I blanketed him in winter storms and fed him all the senior feed he would eat and he hung in there. But I was doubtful about his quality of life back then--I remember writing about it on the blog. And Reb had been underweight ever since last winter--up until then he maintained his weight just fine.<br /><br />I am bringing Gunner home today. I hope all goes well.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-30029529055881119092011-11-24T07:38:53.934-08:002011-11-24T07:38:53.934-08:00This is a hard one, but everyone else's commen...This is a hard one, but everyone else's comments have been right on the money. It's a blessing to relieve the old ones of their last crisis. That said, it's sad to be left behind when our companions move on - so final.Martha Seaman McKeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074527769706946879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-30044518220665687662011-11-24T05:37:29.951-08:002011-11-24T05:37:29.951-08:00So Sorry Laura. Thoughts are with you, Wally, and ...So Sorry Laura. Thoughts are with you, Wally, and the rest of the herd 2 legged and 4.Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-44446501494136528422011-11-23T19:35:42.565-08:002011-11-23T19:35:42.565-08:00So sorry, Laura. That's a hard choice to make...So sorry, Laura. That's a hard choice to make, but sounds like the right one. <br /><br />We've got a 38-year-old Morab at the barn and I wonder if this is going to be her last winter. OTOH, I've wondered that for the past five years. She's still going strong, though...opinionated old lady that she is.joycemochahttp://joycemocha.livejournal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-76314094499093265912011-11-23T16:14:50.796-08:002011-11-23T16:14:50.796-08:00Hugs.Hugs.Pattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18093706178631084468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-90480786380188139852011-11-23T13:28:48.832-08:002011-11-23T13:28:48.832-08:00Thank you for your comments. It does help to feel ...Thank you for your comments. It does help to feel I'm not alone. I will admit that along with the sadness, which keeps arising, is a measure of relief that I'm not constantly wondering what we should do about those two old horses. <br /><br />My remaining very old horse, who is also 31, is Gunner, who has been my horse since he was three. Since he no longer has ET in the field next to him for a companion, and I don't want him standing out in the winter storms alone (even with his blanket), I am bringing him home so he'll have a shed to shelter in, and plenty of company. I kept him turned out in the pasture for years because I thought it was best for him, but I really want him home again for his remaining time, so I can be with him. Fortunately, he still looks pretty good for 31. The vet did not believe he was an old horse. I'm hoping Gunner will enjoy the change. He won't be turned out in pasture 24/7, but he'll have a big corral where he can run and move freely, a shed for shelter, and turn out on my property from time to time, just like my other horses. I'm crossing my fingers it will work for him.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-26200656997464573452011-11-23T13:23:22.138-08:002011-11-23T13:23:22.138-08:00I'm so sorry, and I know how you feel. Even wh...I'm so sorry, and I know how you feel. Even when you know there is no other choice, it isn't an easy one. I've had to make the choice a couple of times, and I was glad I had a friend to be there. I couldn't do it either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-517720487721911482011-11-23T12:18:05.659-08:002011-11-23T12:18:05.659-08:00I'm also sorry that you've had to make thi...I'm also sorry that you've had to make this tough decision. It is harder when it's not a crisis situation, but I agree that you made the right choice. It's better to be a little early then to wait too long--I've done this both ways and waiting too long is harder on the animal.<br /><br />hugs.Stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16563077467348752977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54545609257998978502011-11-23T12:17:38.924-08:002011-11-23T12:17:38.924-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16563077467348752977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-3220335461044339372011-11-23T11:54:14.677-08:002011-11-23T11:54:14.677-08:00Laura - I'm so sorry you and Wally had to make...Laura - I'm so sorry you and Wally had to make this decision. I agree with the others, that it was the best and most correct thing to do, if that makes any difference. The alternative, of waiting to see if they could last through the winter, seems cruel. <br /><br />And yet, their bright natures still haunt you. Think of it as their contentment with whatever you did for them, including their trust in you to do what was right. <br /><br />I'm having this conversation with my hubby now, about his dad's old dog. The dog is living in our garage, limping, senile, with bad teeth. My husband can't stand to have the dog put down - his dad died suddenly and this dog has come to mean more to him than just a dog, I think. But it's not a decision I can force him to look at. Every day, I go to the garage and talk to King about letting us know when he's done. Now, when I go out there, he follows me around. I don't know whether he's just following my sounds, or whether he's trying to tell me something. I just wish he'd pass away on his own so my hubby wouldn't have to choose for him.Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-91443079045079131662011-11-23T11:39:58.098-08:002011-11-23T11:39:58.098-08:00Thank you for making hard choices, choices that co...Thank you for making hard choices, choices that cost you. This is what being a forever home means.yatimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08142518546357757874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-62346934452632397212011-11-23T11:00:58.274-08:002011-11-23T11:00:58.274-08:00Lots of love Laura, I've got tears in my eyes ...Lots of love Laura, I've got tears in my eyes after reading your post. I know how hard it is, and totally understand the way you are feeling. You did the right thing. Giant blanket hugs to you.Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201599087106798500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-70925431493318035892011-11-23T09:54:53.847-08:002011-11-23T09:54:53.847-08:00Thanks, cowgirl. I've held all my other horses...Thanks, cowgirl. I've held all my other horses when they were put down...but I felt very clear in my mind with them that it was the only right thing to do and I wanted to be with them. This was a little different, in that ET was a rescue horse I took to save him from the kill pen and Rebby was Wally's horse, so I felt OK letting Wally be with them. Also, I'm not sure I could have gone through with it...as I said, the ones I put down clearly needed it. With these two it was probably the right choice, but I would have rationalized waiting a little longer...which I had been doing for several months.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-52640547966297635322011-11-23T09:39:08.796-08:002011-11-23T09:39:08.796-08:00Laura,I'm so sorry.You did the right thing.You...Laura,I'm so sorry.You did the right thing.You have good memories of them&know they didn't suffer.It would have been terrible to have gone out one morning & found one of them stuck to the ground&have that as your memory.I've held 3 of my horses as they were put down&its the hardest thing I've ever done.But in a way I felt like it was an honor to do the rigt thing.Thats what wally& you did.I love your books and blog by the way.lavernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17251652843205245636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-72597432238100696812011-11-23T09:35:14.071-08:002011-11-23T09:35:14.071-08:00Thank you, everybody. It really helps to hear the ...Thank you, everybody. It really helps to hear the kind words.<br /><br />My son is a little sad, but because the two horses did not live at our place, but rather at a pasture a few miles from here, the loss is not so in-your-face. Also, neither horse was ever my personal riding horse, which makes it a little easier. I was very fond of both of them, though. Rebby was Wally's horse--he crippled up at 9 years old due to EPM or a strained sacroiliac joint--we never knew which diagnosis to believe. He was pain free but moved awkwardly--obviously not right. Most people would have put him down when he was ten--knowing he had no future as a riding horse. We kept him as a pasture pet these 17 years, so he had a good long run. Its just hard. Both horses were very sweet.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-28319659320814790072011-11-23T09:33:06.890-08:002011-11-23T09:33:06.890-08:00Laura think about all the wonderful years they ha...Laura think about all the wonderful years they had and the times they were out romping around the pasture. Try to remember them when they were young, muscular, and full of life. It won't make the decision any easier but it might bring a smile to your face.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-44006322270988137492011-11-23T09:24:59.999-08:002011-11-23T09:24:59.999-08:00Laura, I am so sorry for you loss. I know how hard...Laura, I am so sorry for you loss. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to an old friend. I am facing that decision soon with my nearly 33 year old mare. It is never easy and I know you did not make the decision lightly. But it is our final gift to the animals we love, to help them not suffer a slow decline and to help them leave this world with dignity. <br /><br />Your horses enjoy a quality of life and a natural life that far to few other horses do. Take comfort in the fact that you are a great mom to both horse and human and that you did right by them. How is your son handling the loss, I am sure it is not easy for him either. <br /><br />I am sending happy thoughts and a cyber hug.Terri Rocovichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08222380250153504890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-602152665303938412011-11-23T09:22:12.698-08:002011-11-23T09:22:12.698-08:00Hugs. Knowing it's the right thing doesn'...Hugs. Knowing it's the right thing doesn't make it any easier. :(Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-36261798802176934752011-11-23T09:07:24.902-08:002011-11-23T09:07:24.902-08:00I'm so sorry to hear that you had to make a de...I'm so sorry to hear that you had to make a decision like this. It's always easier when they are clearly ready to go. However, better that they go now when they are doing well than something catastrophic happen. You made the right decision for them, even though it's so hard to do. The boys are lucky to have such loving, caring owners looking out for them.<br /><br />Lots of hugs to you.jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com