On losing a horse.

[Mukluk]

When I lived on the Central Coast Vicki and I would ride at the beach every so often. Riding at the beach, especially letting Angel and Stoli gallop down the beach together was such a wonderful memory. Is there anything a thoroughbred likes better than to run? We also did several trips horse camping in the high Sierras. What fun we had!

Stoli was also head shy, I think he had been abused in the past. It took the longest time for him to let me kiss his soft little nose (has a cute snip on it). I guess I didn’t realize how much I really love this horse (that i never really wanted). I’ll miss him.

[2DogsFarm]

@Mukluk {HUGS} & tears for you.
Loved your Stoli story & descriptions :love-struck:
You have some really good memories.

Story reminded me of DH’s TWH - well, really TE(venting)H :rolleyes:
He was so hooked on my TB ( who apparently did not return the LUV) that when stabled next to each other at a show, he stood up to peek over the stall to make sure his BFF was there. TB ignored him like he was the Pesky Little Brother Mom made you play with.
On the video of the Event, you can see him pacing back & forth calling in the background as me & TB did our Dressage test.
He was marked for “Calling” in his own test, as he had to frequently stop & bellow for TB :o
TG, DH loved him & was tolerant.

He was the first horse I had to put down.
Just a short 2yrs after losing DH
Mysterious, wasting lameness that went from NQR in October to joint fluid watery in all 4 by February.
I stayed with him at the vet hospital for the euth.
They allowed me to hold his head after the sedation laid him down.
He passed peacefully with me stroking his nose & telling him to go find Tom (DH).

I hope for the same quiet end for Stoli, & Peace for you, your very good friend & Angel.

[chai]

The late mr. chai and I took in many old or unwanted horses during our life together, and we kept them til their days were over so I’ve been through the euthanasia process many times. I can honestly say it never, ever gets easier but it’s something I’ve been grateful for many times when we’ve had horses that were in pain or were facing an irreversible decline with no hope. With a competent, compassionate veterinarian, it is a peaceful process, especially with sedation before the final injection. It is a much kinder passing than many humans are allowed, and mr chai and I believed strongly in the old adage, ‘better a day too soon than an hour too late’ for all our pets.

I still dream about all of them, even many years later, but the loss of my beloved Shire hit me the hardest of all. He was very affectionate, almost like a dog, and he would neigh like crazy when he saw me and leave his grazing to run to the car to greet me when I was boarding him in the last few years of his life. He loved to have his belly scratched and he would lift his hind leg up like a dog for his belly scratch. We had him at home for most of his life and he was so gentle, he was like Ferdinand the Bull in the wonderful children’s story. Wow. I miss him.

We are truly blessed to have these wonderful animals in our lives. It’s never long enough and it’s so hard to say goodbye.

[Mukluk]

Thanks all. I am thankful that I have some time to get used to the idea. Looks like this will occur on Thursday afternoon this week. I am giving him all the love I can both in food, my thoughts, and lots of hugs/scritches. I wish I had baby pictures of him. He must have been a beautiful foal. He’s a handsome devil. He’s enjoying being with Angel before he becomes one.

[BigMama1]

I’m so sorry for your pain and sorrow. I just lost my dream horse unexpectedly 10 days ago and it has hit me much harder than I could have imagined.

Wr didn’t have to make any decisions regarding disposal of her body. If we had put her to sleep at the barn where I board, she would have been euthanized in the indoor area, I would have said goodbye and left the arena for the actual injection, then come back after she was gone. We aren’t allowed to bury on property so use a local dead stock company to remove the horse’s body. If that had been the case I would have chosen NOT to be there for her removal.

But, she has a serious colic and we managed to get her to the vet college about an hour away. They aren’t letting anyone in the clinic due to a Covid so we had to wait in the parking lot and the vets would come out and give us updates. However, once we decided to let her go, they brought me, my trainer and my part boarder in time her stall to say goodbye. She was sedated and lying down comfortably. We left right after that. This past Friday a package arrived from them containing her halter and tail. They looked after the disposal of her body after the PM so no decisions to make in that count.

I will have a nice bracelet made from her trail. Even if I never wear it, it something I’d like to have. Even though I only had her for a year, she was truly the horse of a lifetime for me / never thought I’d have the chance to own and learn from a horse of her breeding, quality, and level of training.

Saying goodbye is so very hard. My heart goes out to you.

[PaddockWood]

@Mukluk My eyes welled up reading your opening post and then your story of him at the show. You are so sweet and kind and I’ll be thinking of you Thursday. It will be very hard but we get so much more from all the joy they bring us. The pain is worth it. (HUG)

[2DogsFarm]

@Mukluk Know that a whole lot of COTH will be with you & Stoli Thursday.

I am not a big drinker, but will consider it fitting to toast his departure with a cocktail made with his namesake 🍸

[walktrot]

My BO had to put down a wonderful QH mare a few weeks ago because of a terribly tragic injury from a kick. I’ve stayed for a few euthanasias but I usually say goodbye when it is scheduled a few days away. I stayed for this one because a couple of the teenagers found her and this was their first experience. They were okay. What made it easier was that she was next to stacked square bales in a deep pile of hay. It was a softer atmosphere and wasn’t as jarring when she went down. BO was able to sit by her head and stroke her. It was a Sunday, very few people around, and BO put a remembrance on Facebook before the week’s lessons started. My cat vet schedules early, before regular appointments start. It’s quiet, and you can stay longer. I’m putting this in my preferences for the equine vet and BO to have on file.

I’ve posted this link before. It’s a Julie Goodnight article. She is realistic but it is so well written it makes me a bit more comfortable as I try to work through the process while he is still healthy and sound but getting old. It’s so hard. My heart is with you.

https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/ar…ath-of-horses/

[Zu_Zu]

((hugs)) laced with understanding & comfort ~

[Mukluk]

Thanks all. I started another thread, RIP Stoli.

https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/f…2290-rip-stoli

He had a good last day. I will always miss him. I will never forget him