Horse grieving her companion

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Chickendreams

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Hello, I’ve had the horrible reality of having one of my horses pts this week, he had ongoing health problems that sadly nothing else could be done for so we had to make the decision to pts to make sure he would go peacefully and not in pain. My other two horses were taken to see his body right after and allowed to sniff and investigate to try and help them understand. My one mare was fairly attached to the horse that was pts and even though they hadn’t been together very long (only 6 months) they were very close and did most things together. The other pony was reluctant to leave his body but then once turned out in the field was okay. The bonded mare initially ran round her field quite distressed after she was put out with just the pony after it all and has since been standing staring at the last spot she saw his body. His body was taken away very quickly as I am having him cremated so I’m not sure if she is confused or just grieving but I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips that I can try and help her and make this easier for her, or is it just a case of letting her move through the motions. Thank you
 
I' afraid there is nothing you can do, you just have to let her get on with it and sort it out in her own mind. Nothing you do will make any difference. In hindsight I think leaving the body until the mare had sorted herself may have been a good idea but maybe wasn't possible.
 
I' afraid there is nothing you can do, you just have to let her get on with it and sort it out in her own mind. Nothing you do will make any difference. In hindsight I think leaving the body until the mare had sorted herself may have been a good idea but maybe wasn't possible.
 
Imo, it will be grief, rather than lack of understanding. Animals are fully aware of death and its implications and, of course, horses are prey animals, so instinctively understand death.
 
I'm so sorry, what a sad situation. Your mare is grieving, be kind to her and let her grieve in her own way, and in her own time. I know how hard it is because we want to be able to make everything better, but I'm afraid you cant take her grief away, only she can come to terms with things herself.
 
Poor girl. Agree, she will come to terms with it in her own way in time.

When my pony was put to sleep, my 20 year old mare was clearly lost and depressed.
He had been her mentor and best friend since she was a yearling. My other horse was very quiet too.

6 months later, when I put them into the field where the pony was put down, they both galloped over to the last place they saw my pony. 💔

I'm sorry you lost your horse, seeing your other horses grieve as well hurts.
 
I had the same issue a couple of years ago - my mare was absolutely grief-striken after the loss of my gelding. She still had my pony, but just could not wrap her head around him being gone.

She was absolutely wild for a time. I had to shuttle her everywhere with the pony because she would turn herself inside out if left in either stable or field alone for any time. I have never seen anything quite like it.

I just gave her time and got her some extra physical therapy. I didn't do anything with her other than move her to and from the field for about 4 months. About 3 months after losing my gelding though we got another horse, who Arty was overjoyed with. And it seemed almost like the joy and interest of a new friend, somewhat displaced the grief from her brain. After that she recovered quite quickly and was back to being herself within a month or so.

Sorry you lost your horse x
 
DabDab said:
I had the same issue a couple of years ago - my mare was absolutely grief-striken after the loss of my gelding. She still had my pony, but just could not wrap her head around him being gone.

She was absolutely wild for a time. I had to shuttle her everywhere with the pony because she would turn herself inside out if left in either stable or field alone for any time. I have never seen anything quite like it.

I just gave her time and got her some extra physical therapy. I didn't do anything with her other than move her to and from the field for about 4 months. About 3 months after losing my gelding though we got another horse, who Arty was overjoyed with. And it seemed almost like the joy and interest of a new friend, somewhat displaced the grief from her brain. After that she recovered quite quickly and was back to being herself within a month or so.

Sorry you lost your horse x
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We found something similar. We had 2 mares who had been together for 20 yrs, the younger one had to be pts in the stable and removed while her friend, an Appaloosa, watched before we could get her out of her stable, because of the set-up.
Although we had 2 more mares who had been in the herd for several years the original one was missing her best friend. Then we bought another Appaloosa mare and the new interest rejuvenated the older one.
 
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