Goodbye, update and introducing

Booboos

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 January 2008
Messages
12,776
Location
South of France
Visit site
Loads of news in one post for me as I haven't updated in a while.

Firstly some sad news. Cakey, my HW cob was put to sleep earlier this autumn. He was only 20 years old which was not that old but somehow his arthritis was affecting him terribly. He was unwilling to get out of walk, would stand in his stable with his head down and refuse to go in his field. It was a terrible decision as it was not an emergency, rather a difficult decision about quality of life and I feel a lot of guilt I had to make it.

Here he is in happier times

P1000359.jpg


We bought him when he was 6 years old, he saved my life more than once by remaining calm and sensible when the other horses went bonkers around him and he was with us for most of his life. There will never be another one like him.

Meanwhile Freddy has been trundling along, for once, happily. Freddy is assume to have EPMS as he has responded so well to the diet. Recently I added ALCAR to his hay/grass diet and it seems to have helped a lot. He managed to do a whole test, during a competition, without me carrying a whip and without stopping or losing impulsion! Onwards and upwards hopefully with Freddy now! I have to get to grips with his flying changes which he'll do for my instructor but not for me!

And finally, introducing a new little man! This is Marques, my friend's PRE. My friend needed to part-loan him so he has come to stay with me for a while and we're both ridding him. He is 7 years old but rides greener as he has not done that much other than try to undo the harm done to him when he was broken in in Spain. He has a lovely temperament and is very confident...apart from being very scared of people and of his rider! It's such a shame as I think he was broken in too roughly and scared for life. He now needs to relax, become more rhythmical and stretch down. Luckily he is the Duracell bunny and needs no leg at all so that's a pleasant change from Freddy!

Marques%203_zpsbzaiq6to.jpg


Marques%202_zpsesn4xgvy.jpg


Marques%205_zpsshchzgko.jpg
 
Sorry to hear your news, it's never an easy choice to make, but sometimes we have to put them first.

The new lad looks rather handsome, I'm sure with time and loving he will blossom into a wonderful horse.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss!

Great news, though, that Freddy is responding so well to the diet! It's so frustrating do get on top of something really subtle.
 
Sorry for your loss - sounds like you made a difficult decision at the right time though.

New boy is lovely, and great to hear the other horse is doing well on his new diet.
 
Thank you everyone. It's been really tough with Cakey, he was so young when we got him. I remember he used to steer straight for puddles, slash his feet in them, soak everyone in water and look at us with almost a smile on his face. Time goes past far too quickly.
 
I made the same decision with my mare of 16 last year and it's always hard but you know when it's the right time. Glad Freddy is making progress and marquess (wouldn't want to try shouting that across a field!) looks like a lovely chap.
 
Top