Grieving Horse

[Hollylee1989]

We sadly lost our 28 year old mare last night, my horse and pony were her field companions. My horse was very quiet this morning, I allowed him to see her over the stable door. He waited by the gateway and I can tell this has turned his world upside down, apart from letting him process this and lots of cuddles I don't know what to do to help him.

 

[tatty_v]

When mine lost his companion unexpectedly he was definitely grieving for some time. He stood by the gate a lot and just called, which was heart breaking. It’s a bit of a cliche but the only thing that really fixed it was time. In the meantime, I just kept everything as usual and obviously made sure he had equine company.

 

[paddy555]

I'm sorry for your loss. I am afraid there is little you can do except give him time. If he has a companion pony there is little else to do.
His world has totally been turned upside down. He has to be allowed the time to adjust.
I do appreciate how absolutely useless you feel not being able to do anything. I'm afraid that some horses don't care when they lose a field mate and some take it badly which is heart breaking to watch.

 

[SEL]

My heart broke all over again watching my mare deal with the loss of her long term companion last year.

I've no idea if it helped her, but it made me feel better to just talk to her about what had happened. She'd stand there looking at me and then just sigh and wander off back to the others.

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Maxidoodle]

I’m so sorry, it’s a heartbreaking thing to see, it Makes you realise just how much it affects them too, it’s just time I’m afraid and thankfully the horse and pony have each other.

 

[eahotson]

We sadly lost our 28 year old mare last night, my horse and pony were her field companions. My horse was very quiet this morning, I allowed him to see her over the stable door. He waited by the gateway and I can tell this has turned his world upside down, apart from letting him process this and lots of cuddles I don't know what to do to help him.

Give him a hug from me.

 

[Steerpike]

I am going through this with one of mine at the moment, his friend was pts last week, for the first few days he just stood in the corner of the field even though he had other companions there, he had lost a bit of weight so I make sure I give him plenty of attention, bringing him out of the field for a feed a couple of times a day and a nice groom. He's looking brighter but I think it just takes time sometimes.

 

[littleshetland]

I find 'Bach Flower Remedies' seem to make a difference sometimes for humans and animals. You could try a few drops in his water bucket (Walnut - protection from change).I t might help, it can't do any harm but I think time will be the best healer. Time, and a few extra treats.

 

[loz9]

I'm so sorry for your loss
Sadly there is little you can do but give him time. When I suddenly lost my mare, her son was heartbroken despite being with his other 3 herd members, 1 of which he had been turned out with since 5days old, & the other 2 had joined him at 6mths (he was 8yo when she died & had never left him for longer than a few hours even for weaning) It also hit his immune system hard, his sarcoid grew like crazy & he developed warts on his sheath. I'm only adding this last part as if I'd known about this at the time I'd have put him on an immune boosting supplement earlier. Id say he was recovered mentally after 9ish months, & after 18mths all warts & his sarcoid were gone.

 

[Snowfilly]

There really isn’t anything to do for them, they’re grieving and they hurt and that has to run it’s course.

I’ve found grooming and just standing talking / cuddling helps as a distraction sometimes. And adding treats to feeds if they stop eating.

I’m so sorry, it’s horrible to loose one and horrible to watch their friends struggle.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

We sadly lost our 28 year old mare last night, my horse and pony were her field companions. My horse was very quiet this morning, I allowed him to see her over the stable door. He waited by the gateway and I can tell this has turned his world upside down, apart from letting him process this and lots of cuddles I don't know what to do to help him.

sorry to hear you lost your 28 year old. Always heart breaking to loose one , what can you do? nothing really, my boy grieved when he lost his mum, he went withdrawn, just be there for h them and lots of cuddles.

 

[J&S]

Very sad for you. I have seen this a couple of times, and, as every one says, time will heal. Strangely, on one other occasion, pretty well no reaction was obvious to the death of a long term, close companion.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I’m dreading this when our oldie goes….big hug to you.