Meat colts - the true cost of rescuing them (a diary)

[Fides]

A final sad update for this thread and then I will vanish into obscurity.

It turned out that Oreo had a grass intolerancy due to the heavy worm burden as a foal. Every time the grass changed or there was a frost he would scour and rapidly lose weight. A couple of weeks stabled, and being fed alfalfa, and he would recover and go back to his normal perky self.

I thought everything was going to be fine again but sadly on bonfire night he got stressed by the fireworks (out of character) and had a fit, went down and couldn't get up. I called the vet and the poor boy didn't even need the second injection

I'm going to miss this little cheeky chap

Such a jump on him! - the arena fence is 1m50!

Clipped as he's a hairy monster and would sweat stood in the field

And when he arrived - petrified little thing

To everyone who has offered kind words and support during his time with me - thankyou from the bottom of my heart.

ETA - £1146 + two vets bills totalling £450 and removal of £180 means his total cost was £1766 and he didn't even get to the point of backing

 

[SEL]

I am so very sorry to hear this, you must be devastated.

He was a beautiful little pony xx

 

[Red-1]

That is a sad end to your time. He looked wonderful in the more recent photos, he could not have had a better chance in life, and certainly seemed to enjoy it.

 

[Bluedaisys]

Sorry for your loss, he looked more then happy with you x

 

[jofwigby]

Lovely photos of him in the school - you gave him a bloody good shot x Thanks for sharing.

 

[SusannaF]

Thank you for trying, and what a blinking mess the meat/passporting system is. I knew it was bad but not this ridiculous.

Bless Oreo. He had a good few years with you!

 

[Equi]

I'm so very sorry to hear this sad end to a wonderful story

 

[AR_x]

I am very sad to hear of your loss. You gave him a very happy life and a second chance, He was very lucky to have you.

 

[Apercrumbie]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss - he was so beautiful and I am amazed at how far you came together. RIP Oreo.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I am so sorry that is so sad but you gave him the best chance possible it's just a shame the damage had already been done when he was a baby, you couldn't have done anymore for him x

 

[Spottyappy]

So sorry to read this.
You had done a fabulous job with him and extended his life way beyond what it had been inteneded to be, both in quality and time.
Run free Oreo.

 

[AmyMay]

I'm so sorry Fides xxx

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I am so sorry to read this x

 

[Micropony]

So sorry to hear this. You changed his world and he was a lucky pony. So sorry for your loss.

 

[EllenJay]

So sorry to read this. The true cost isn't monetary, as we all knew, but love, and a broken heart. Thinking of you xx

 

[Dave's Mam]

Night Night Oreo.

 

[Jenna87]

So sorry for your loss. Run free Oreo

 

[JCW]

so sorry to read this. Despite his short life, at least he had you and was well cared for and loved xxx

 

[Fides]

Thanks everyone. I had a pamper session with him the day before he died and plaited him up - he'll have been the best dressed dead pony there

I'm so glad I had that last lovely day with him - hug your horses this weekend.

I live by always telling someone (including horses) you love them before you leave - it would be horrible to leave life with cross words. I always want my loved ones to know they are loved...

 

[PorkChop]

Oh no, so sorry you lost him.

Just remember you gave him a fabulous life even though it wasn't for as long as you wanted x

 

[Shantara]

I'm so so so so sorry I remember this thread and Oreo, such a little trooper.
You made his short life an incredibly happy one, I'm sure he'd be very grateful.
Stay strong, thinking of you and little Oreo xx

 

[Sandstone1]

I'm so sorry. You did your best for him. I'm sure he had a much better life with you than he would otherwise have had.

 

[MissTyc]

Very sad update. We've lost two rescues for similar reasons and at similar age. It is so sad but we must take comfort that they had a good life, and a much better life than the many colts who don't even have the dignified ending of the meat man xx

 

[merlin12]

So sorry to hear that Oreo has died. You gave him a good life. He was a lucky pony to have met you.My thoughts are with you. You made a world of difference to Oreo.

 

[OldNag]

I am so sorry to read this. But what a lucky chap he was to end up with you x

 

[Hetsmum]

So sorry to read this. You did a fabulous job with him and he was very lucky. Oreo was always one of my favourites. Run free little x

 

[Cobbytype]

What a credit to you Oreo is and what a handsome cob he turned into. I hope you feel proud for what you did for him whilst he was in your care.

May he stuff himself with heavenly spring grass and gallop above the clouds.

 

[LadySam]

Such a sad ending to this story. But good on you Fides. You did a beautiful job with him and he was loved and happy.

 

[Suechoccy]

Bless you. What a sad and unexpected shock ending. Oreo bloomed under your care. All credit to you. Gentle hugs.

 

[silv]

What a shame, I am so sorry to read this. Remember when you got him. At least he had a wonderful life with you albeit a short one he looks like he was such a wee cutie. You must be devastated. Take Care x