Ty, daughter broke down earlier out of the blue and insisted on going out in the cold with me while I cleaned stalls, fed her handfuls of hay and stayed with her the whole time. She also wants to feed with me later tonight. Gahh my heart!! 
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Lifting your daughter up too
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What a sweet girl. It’s a heartbreaking moment for her but she gets to witness her mom take in a horse, treat her with respect and kindness, and unfortunately, have to let her go with the same kindness.
You have done the best anyone could have done for Sweetie. She got an ending filled with alfalfa, blankets, soft bedding and love.
Jingles for you and your family!
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Sorry the prognosis is so poor. I put my old mare down at 28. My good friend just lost her old mare at 33. It’s definitely tough losing the older horses. Now my beautiful paint mare is having health issues related to her type 2 pssm. She seems stable out of work/ as a field ornament but if she starts having attacks out in the field then I will need to consider other options. Her condition does seem to be worsening with age as she never was this badly affected as a young horse.
As for heart failure my old mare had leaky heart valves. In her neck there was a bulge over the jugular where you could actually see the heart beat as the blood pumped through. She was put down due to other issues (crippling lameness) but the vet did warn me to watch for developing heart failure prior to that. Many older horses do develop heart issues and leaky valves.
After this, you could always foster for a rescue and get something you can successfully rehabilitate. It’s the success stories that make rescuing worth it. There is no shortage of horses that need a soft landing and you would be perfect.
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Sending you, your family, your pony, and Sweetie all the love and light today as she leaves for her next adventure.
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No words for today. Just hugs 
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Will be thinking of you today. Be brave, for her and for your daughter.
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@carman_liz, Thinking of you and your family today.
You have been such a blessing to this poor old mare. I am sure if she could she would thank you for showing her such care and compassion.
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Sending hugs
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Thinking of you, your daughter and Sweetie. Many hugs sent.
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Thinking of you today, much love your way.
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You all are seriously the best Babygirl sat out with maresy the whole time I cleaned stalls, hearing her crying was the worst… then insisted on coming back out with me to feed, loved on her for awhile, then said her goodbyes, came in and had lots of mommy snuggles in my bed until she was almost asleep and then went to her bed. She has craft day at school all day, so I’m hoping that will keep her mind off things, I also let her teacher know just in case.
I think after this adventure, we are going to stick to getting pony boy back 100% thru the winter, then maybe getting another one in the spring/summer.
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Sending love.
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Thinking of you today.
I feel like the universe will provide when the time is right. We go through so much with our animals and when you look back you’ll see why it went the way it did. Chance, luck, karma, or whatever path life strolls down by influence of our choices we get to experience the full spectrum from shit to great. I always try to reflect on the bad/sad things that happen and think about why they happened the way they did (after a lot of tears of course). Most of the time I realize I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Many hugs and sending you comfort for today.
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Thinking of you, Sweetie, your daughter and pony today. Thanks for giving her an ending filled with love!
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I’ve been quietly following this thread since it started… wanted to log in and say that I’m thinking of you, your family, and Sweetie today. You have done such a wonderful thing, giving that sweet old lady mare so much kindness and comfort and love. Sending love and hugs your way.
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I’ve also been following and send hugs to you today. A friend is having her kitty euthanized today so maybe the two of them will meet up and become buddies and share stories
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Thinking of you and yours. {{{{Hugs}}}} from Colorado.
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Thinking of you, and getting emotional over the journey with your grand old mare. Big hugs to you, for bringing peace and dignity in passing to such a sweet soul in need.
I can feel your compassion through your words, may you find comfort in the loving energy a bunch of internet strangers are sending you.
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Sending love today.
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