NiceChristmasBaubles
Well-Known Member
An very sad update on my previous thread.....
(http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=526500)
So many lovely kind words both here and in the PMs I've received. Thank you all so much, it really means a lot to me.
This morning she had looked a little brighter, but still didn't want to eat, so we decided on getting the senior vet to visit early afternoon so we could tell whether or not she was picking up. She didn't make it that long. Within an hour or so she went down hill rapidly and the vet came out straight away. She was pts by injection (she had a complete gun phobia, and unless it had been an emergency, I just couldn't do that to her), quietly in her own paddock.
My friend (YO) called me after it had happened - I was in the middle of a polo field with my two boys and their ponies at a PC polocrosse rally - it was a little surreal, but felt good to be surrounded by kids and ponies having a great time out in the fresh air. I know it may seem strange that my friend took the final decision, but it all happened so quickly at the end and she did what I had always asked of her - if a decision needed to be made and she couldn't get hold of me, then treat her as she would her own horses. She did that once before and had my girl in Liphook prepped for major colic surgery, before she reached me, which saved her life and gave me 11 more years with her. A true friend and good horsewoman. But it does make me glad that she always knew my wishes, so please think about that if your own horses are in livery. You may want to put it in writing, but always make sure it is clear, especially if you don't think along the same lines as your YO/YM.
She will be cremated. I won't be having her ashes back. To me, her body is not her any more, but an empty shell, but I totally understand and respect people who do want to keep their horse's ashes. I have the memories, photos, rosettes and something very special to remember her by - a bronze which I had specially commissioned by the sculptor Belinda Sillars. I have number 1 and there are 19 others around the world somewhere. Belinda had a stall at Badminton last year and I chatted to her for a while. She remembered my girl well and captured her totally when she made the bronze.
It's strange, but she went the way I had always hoped for. I'm realistic to know that most horses don't just die in their sleep and if they do, then they are often alone and we don't know how long they are struggling. She was last ridden only a week ago, and I saw her on Sunday in her paddock enjoying the spring sunshine and looking well, old yes, but still well. She had a shine to her coat, her eyes were bright, she was well maintained - a smart blanket clip, mane pulled and tidy, good feet and well shod - she was never just 'let go' because she was an oldie. She was always her own person and a typical mare - not mareish as such, but you could only ask, not tell. She wouldn't have enjoyed total retirement - it was much more fun to spook and whizz across the school when a person with a wheelbarrow went past, or there were cyclists on the bridlepath! I really think she had decided that she was ready to go, and although it hurts like mad (I can barely see what I am typing at the moment), I know she went peacefully and with dignity in a place she called home.
I am sorry, I can't reply to every post, but I have read them all, and so many things hold true. Having an oldie is very special, and I wouldn't have been without the past few years - they give us so much pleasure when they are young and fit, but give us a lot of love and other special things when they are older. I have no regrets, and I know I will feel a sort of relief in the days to come. It is horrible knowing it has to end some day, but not knowing how. For now though, the tears are flowing. I thought not seeing her every day would help, but this is so final.
Just one photo. I will go through a load and post a little tribute over the coming weeks, but for now, thank you for everything my beautiful girl. Sleep tight. xx
Just Tiffany II:
(http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=526500)
So many lovely kind words both here and in the PMs I've received. Thank you all so much, it really means a lot to me.
This morning she had looked a little brighter, but still didn't want to eat, so we decided on getting the senior vet to visit early afternoon so we could tell whether or not she was picking up. She didn't make it that long. Within an hour or so she went down hill rapidly and the vet came out straight away. She was pts by injection (she had a complete gun phobia, and unless it had been an emergency, I just couldn't do that to her), quietly in her own paddock.
My friend (YO) called me after it had happened - I was in the middle of a polo field with my two boys and their ponies at a PC polocrosse rally - it was a little surreal, but felt good to be surrounded by kids and ponies having a great time out in the fresh air. I know it may seem strange that my friend took the final decision, but it all happened so quickly at the end and she did what I had always asked of her - if a decision needed to be made and she couldn't get hold of me, then treat her as she would her own horses. She did that once before and had my girl in Liphook prepped for major colic surgery, before she reached me, which saved her life and gave me 11 more years with her. A true friend and good horsewoman. But it does make me glad that she always knew my wishes, so please think about that if your own horses are in livery. You may want to put it in writing, but always make sure it is clear, especially if you don't think along the same lines as your YO/YM.
She will be cremated. I won't be having her ashes back. To me, her body is not her any more, but an empty shell, but I totally understand and respect people who do want to keep their horse's ashes. I have the memories, photos, rosettes and something very special to remember her by - a bronze which I had specially commissioned by the sculptor Belinda Sillars. I have number 1 and there are 19 others around the world somewhere. Belinda had a stall at Badminton last year and I chatted to her for a while. She remembered my girl well and captured her totally when she made the bronze.
It's strange, but she went the way I had always hoped for. I'm realistic to know that most horses don't just die in their sleep and if they do, then they are often alone and we don't know how long they are struggling. She was last ridden only a week ago, and I saw her on Sunday in her paddock enjoying the spring sunshine and looking well, old yes, but still well. She had a shine to her coat, her eyes were bright, she was well maintained - a smart blanket clip, mane pulled and tidy, good feet and well shod - she was never just 'let go' because she was an oldie. She was always her own person and a typical mare - not mareish as such, but you could only ask, not tell. She wouldn't have enjoyed total retirement - it was much more fun to spook and whizz across the school when a person with a wheelbarrow went past, or there were cyclists on the bridlepath! I really think she had decided that she was ready to go, and although it hurts like mad (I can barely see what I am typing at the moment), I know she went peacefully and with dignity in a place she called home.
I am sorry, I can't reply to every post, but I have read them all, and so many things hold true. Having an oldie is very special, and I wouldn't have been without the past few years - they give us so much pleasure when they are young and fit, but give us a lot of love and other special things when they are older. I have no regrets, and I know I will feel a sort of relief in the days to come. It is horrible knowing it has to end some day, but not knowing how. For now though, the tears are flowing. I thought not seeing her every day would help, but this is so final.
Just one photo. I will go through a load and post a little tribute over the coming weeks, but for now, thank you for everything my beautiful girl. Sleep tight. xx
Just Tiffany II:
