charlimouse
Well-Known Member
This morning every horse owners worst nightmare happened. I went out to do morning feeds and found Millie dead 
. She had not shown any signs the previous evening of being unwell, and all feed and haylage had been eaten. There were also several droppings, so assuming it wasn't colic, although I haven't had the results of the post mortem yet. I'm just dreading hearing if it may have been something I could somehow have prevented 
.
Millie has been a vital part of the team for over 7 years. I got her in June 2005, when my confidence was rock bottom. I never wanted to jump again, and was on the verge of giving up. She was originally my Mum's horse to hack. But quickly I realised I loved riding her and somehow despite being a scrawny TB from the meat man, we just clicked, and I had confidence on her I never had on my other horse.
I spent that first summer getting my confidence back, and the following spring we came out and did 3 unaffilliated ODE's, we won them all! I then took her to do the 3DE at Milton Keynes, where she came 2nd. From there we did BE, eventually going Novice, gaining 5 BE points and completing Weston Park CCI*, cleat XC. She only ever had 1 XC fault which was rider error. She was a true one in a million.
In 2009 she ran her last event, the novice at Lincoln. Although she jumped clear XC and we were placed, she felt like she had less enthusiasm. The vet found she had damaged her sacro-illiac, and would need a year off, but suggested we put her in foal. In 2010 Celeste was born, a beautiful filly by Sempers Spirit. She went first premium at the BEF futurity. I could not have been more proud.
So instead of bringing her back into work, I put her back in foal. This time to Future Illusion. On 31st May this year Stella was born. Like her older sister she too gor a first premium at the BEF Futurity.
Now this brings me to my question. Stella is now orphaned at just under 5 months. I have moved her older sister into her field for company, but as you can imagine poor Stella is feeling pretty lost. The vet says just to keep an eye on her and if she drops weight to give her some stud cubes, as although not ideal she should manage OK. Is there anything else I can do to help her? She stopped whinny-ing about lunch time, and had a pick of grass, but now in stood looking a bit depressed. Im not sure there is anything else I can do for her, other than give her time to settle. I think I will put her and Celeste in with Harry and Jem once she has got over the first shock, so she will have plenty of company.
So tonight raise you glass to the bravest, kindest most beautiful horse I have had the pleasure to own. I would not be where I am today without her. I owe her everything, and can never express enough gratitude for her kind nature and willingness. Hopefully she will live on in her 2 fillies, and one day they will do her proud.
. She had not shown any signs the previous evening of being unwell, and all feed and haylage had been eaten. There were also several droppings, so assuming it wasn't colic, although I haven't had the results of the post mortem yet. I'm just dreading hearing if it may have been something I could somehow have prevented . Millie has been a vital part of the team for over 7 years. I got her in June 2005, when my confidence was rock bottom. I never wanted to jump again, and was on the verge of giving up. She was originally my Mum's horse to hack. But quickly I realised I loved riding her and somehow despite being a scrawny TB from the meat man, we just clicked, and I had confidence on her I never had on my other horse.
I spent that first summer getting my confidence back, and the following spring we came out and did 3 unaffilliated ODE's, we won them all! I then took her to do the 3DE at Milton Keynes, where she came 2nd. From there we did BE, eventually going Novice, gaining 5 BE points and completing Weston Park CCI*, cleat XC. She only ever had 1 XC fault which was rider error. She was a true one in a million.
In 2009 she ran her last event, the novice at Lincoln. Although she jumped clear XC and we were placed, she felt like she had less enthusiasm. The vet found she had damaged her sacro-illiac, and would need a year off, but suggested we put her in foal. In 2010 Celeste was born, a beautiful filly by Sempers Spirit. She went first premium at the BEF futurity. I could not have been more proud.
So instead of bringing her back into work, I put her back in foal. This time to Future Illusion. On 31st May this year Stella was born. Like her older sister she too gor a first premium at the BEF Futurity.
Now this brings me to my question. Stella is now orphaned at just under 5 months. I have moved her older sister into her field for company, but as you can imagine poor Stella is feeling pretty lost. The vet says just to keep an eye on her and if she drops weight to give her some stud cubes, as although not ideal she should manage OK. Is there anything else I can do to help her? She stopped whinny-ing about lunch time, and had a pick of grass, but now in stood looking a bit depressed. Im not sure there is anything else I can do for her, other than give her time to settle. I think I will put her and Celeste in with Harry and Jem once she has got over the first shock, so she will have plenty of company.
So tonight raise you glass to the bravest, kindest most beautiful horse I have had the pleasure to own. I would not be where I am today without her. I owe her everything, and can never express enough gratitude for her kind nature and willingness. Hopefully she will live on in her 2 fillies, and one day they will do her proud.
