I’m so sorry but seems a sound decision. Sending virtual hugs and sympathy as I’ve been there, too. COTH is losing two brave spirits today, with Diva and D-Day leaving us. I know there is a heaven for horses.
“D-Day, meet Diva.”
“Diva, meet D-Day.”
I picture them trotting off together…
So sad for you today.
I am so very, very sorry. Godspeed Diva. I am sure the little one will do well with an aunt and your good care.
COTH is such a sad place today…
So very sorry…
I think there is nothing more heartbreaking to deal with the “too soon” separation between a mare and a foal at such an early stage in their bond.
Been there and I’ll never forget it. “Willy”, whose dam had to be put down within a week of his birth did just fine with the nurturing and education that one of my old girls was so ready to take a little one under her wise wing and bring him up with such dedication. That is also awesome to experience.
I’ve also been on the other side of that coin. A 3 month old that had to be put down with a very devoted mother to deal with. She did fine, but never really got over it. False pregnancies for several years.
Ironically, it was that mare who lost her baby, who several years later scooped up “Willy” when I had to put his mother down and she and made him her own. She needed him and he needed her. Once Willy was weaned in the normal way, she returned to “normal”. For her, I suppose the cycle of life was incomplete until she found Willy who needed a dam.
In the end, the whole experience is bittersweet…and I don’t envy the decision you have had to make. But it was the right one.:sadsmile:
So sorry…
Thank you all so much. Not having any support at home makes coming to COTH and reading all your very kind words that much more special.
We ended up tranqing Diva while she was still in the pasture with taco bob and then leading her out and euthing her. Taco bob was fine for the first half hour and then he realized that mom wasn’t coming back. His cries were heart wrenching. By the time I left for the night, I had convinced him to eat his dinner, but he was still pretty sad and kept looking over at his mom.
I think I fed her about 20 lbs of carrots yesterday afternoon and I told her all about Oopsies D-Day and how he would need a mama. Somehow I’d like to think she understood.
She loved ring a mom and was all class with a bit of crabby old mare thrown in.
Thanks again for all the support.
I am so sorry jennywho.
Godspeed Diva, grand mare.
Aw. :sadsmile: I read that thread as well. What a sweet thing to do. 
SO sorry for your loss.
I was in your exact situation last year and our colt was about the same age. We happen to have a mare here that milks 365 days a year, so we just transferred our colt over to our older mare and the switch went surprisingly smooth. I know you mentioned you have a mare that you’ve used as a nurse mare before. I’d speak to your vet about giving her a shot of dom and seeing if you can get her to start milking. With our little guy, when he got really hungry, he didn’t care who’s udder he was stealing from, he just went right in!
Thinking of you.
Your little guy will be OK I’m sure. With your attention and the right Auntie he’ll come through just fine! :yes:
{{{Hugs}}} on the loss of your mare. I am so sorry.
This is the part of the cycle of life that is so gut wrenching. So very sorry - hope the foal finds comfort in his Auntie and other companions.
I am so very very sorry. Diva runs pain free with many other lost loves over the bridge. Sending positive thoughts to you and her foal.
