I’m so sorry- I know Willem was one of our most popular posters! I’m glad you were able to be with him, say goodbye and give him an apple.
The witchy witch witch of south central NC.
My sincerest condolences Coreene. I can’t even read this thread because it’s making me cry too much. I hope if I ever find myself in the terrible situation that you and Willem were in these past few days, that I will have the strength and courage to do for my horse what you have done for Willem.
Somehow I am convinced that God has found a place for horses in Heaven, and that Willem will be there waiting for you when you get there.
Half of Riding is 30% mental … no wonder there are so many bad riders 
Coreene, I am so sorry for you…
I know how difficult it is to make the “right” decisions for our horses, but you know in your heart it is the right thing to do. Being selfless probably does very little for your own sense of well being at this moment, but I promise you, it means you are the best possible friend and owner Willem could have ever had, and that’s all any horse wants or deserves.
Chin up sweetie, and hang in there…
Call your village. Their idiot is missing…
Oh, Coreene.
I know how you feel. I had to make a similar decision about 4 weeks ago, though mine was more black and white–peritonitis. Yours was a much harder call to have to make, and took a lot of courage.
You are a class act, and Willem, bless him , knew that. I’m sure of it.
Unashamed member of the Arab clique…just settin’ on the Group W bench.
I’m shocked. I’m crying.
The BB won’t be the same.
Terribly sorry for your loss Coreene 
Oh Coreene - no. OMG! I am so so so sorry. I can’t believe it. I am in tears now - God Bless you Willem - we will miss you. Can’t write anymore - too many tears. Peace Willem Peace Coreene
I am truly sorry.
Dear Coreene,
My words are inadequate when others have said it so eloquently. Although I’m most frequently a lurker, I have long enjoyed Willem’s posts and the obvious love you have for horse. All horses deserve such a loving and strong partner as yourself.
I will greatly miss Willem, and am so, so sorry that you had to say goodbye to your friend.
Hugs, Amanda
“Waste no time arguing what a good person shall be, be one.”
-Marcus Aurelius
I don’t think I could be sadder if … I just don’t think I could be sadder. I honestly thought about Willem every day … what he would say, what he would do.
I’m sorry the loss … to you, to me, to the world.
Thank you for sharing his wit and wisdom with us.
Need to go cry privately now.
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TB Logo 4 All
http://www.webdiva4hire.com/ottb/index.html
Willem is waiting for Coreene just on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, in lush pastures that he can graze free from Cushings, free from pain, free from fears of colic. He’ll be seducing all the schatzis with his tons of karroten and his ice cream bars, and he’ll be watching over us all just as he has in the past.
God Speed, Big Red Horse.
Thread killer Extraordinaire
I’m sorry. I will miss his posts.
http://www.dmtc.com/dmtc98/Pedigree/
Look up your TB’s bloodlines
You go to a Horse Show to compete, not for a fashion show.
I’m am so very sorry Coreene - we will all miss Willem - his posts were have been the highlight of my day on many occasions. If he comes across a (sadly very plump) palomino part-arab called Cassie I hope he gives her a kiss from me as well as one of his own. Damn it, why has noone come up with a smiling through the tear face yet!!!
Coreene, I am so sorry to hear this…I was so shocked to log on and see this thread. You are very brave and strong to be able to make that decision to let him go and be pain free. I know you will miss him very very much. I am so sorry that you have to go through this…I know how hard it can be.
ugh, Coreene, my heart just aches for you.
I am so unmeasurably sorry for your loss.
XOXO
Lisa D
Last night I went to the stable to pick up the flowers that were in his stall. Millie, who is Copper’s mom, was so upset because Copper kept looking for his friend and seeing flowers instead. Now they are at home and I have some on my desk as well, and the beautiful plants will be planted in a little corner of the garden.
Horse people are just the best. You are all just so very wonderful, thank you so very, very much for everything. I cried so hard last night and so hard again this morning, but because I miss him, not because I am sad for him. I am sad for me, but trying less and less to be so. Willem was just not one for sadness.
Please remember this: the jingles always work. When they do not keep our beloved friends with us, they provide the music that takes them to Heaven.
I am so sorry for your loss…it was truly a pleasure to read Willem’s posts, and he sounded like such a wonderful, wonderful boy…
You are to be commended for making such a hard decision, and sending him to greener pastures where he can run and frolic without pain.
big hugs
“The 21 yr old Equestrienne with 22 yrs of experience who gets stoned and longes young warmbloods and then jumps them with no helmet.”
Official mucker, picker, groomer, treat distributor, scratcher, wrapper, and servant to Sly, Aussie, Sesica, and Bristol.
Proud Member of the Elite Four Member Alaska Clique!!
Coreen, we’ve never met, but I feel like I know you and Willem. I’m so, so sorry for you.
It’s a shame that it came to this, but you did the right thing by the big old boy.
Checking through some stats on Cushings. Average age of onset is 19. Here’s some info I copied on it from the www:
[I]Cushing’s disease. Has your equine companion grown a heavy, curly coat that’s shedding more slowly than usual? Does he tank up with water whenever he gets the chance? And does he want to eat everything in sight - but fail to gain any weight? Chances are, he’s got hyperadrenocorticism - a condition that’s more commonly called Cushing’s disease. In horses, this condition is usually caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, which in turn prompts the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. A horse with Cushing’s often is more susceptible to disease and infections, and wounds may take longer to heal. Blood tests may indicate excessively high fat and glucose levels and other abnormalities.
Equine Cushing’s disease can’t be cured but it can be managed. Oral medications and dietary management can help such horses thrive for several years after symptoms appear.[/I]
