My poor daughter

How heartbreaking for you all so sorry.

Ask your daughter if she want another pony or if she wants time!!!

Sending you all lots of hugs!! X
 
Oh bless her...and you... What a horrible time for the family...

The right pony will come along... But I will say from my own experience that although kiddies can bounce back from horrible experiences fairly quickly, she might feel guilty about 'replacing' him and that could put her off...

If it comes to it...maybe just a gentle conversation about how needing to fill the gap that this lovely lad left is a tribute to him - not a way of pushing him to one side or forgetting about him...

Maybe a memory box she can help fill with special photographs and some anecdotes she's able to write about times she spent with him...

Take care... :)
 
How awful for your daughter !! IMO, talk to her as many times as possible to get through the grieving stage, a memory box is a great idea (Ladydragon) and let her tell you if she wants to start looking for another pony now or a bit later on. Wish I was closer, she could have come to see some of my youngsters to take her mind off things. Do you have anyone local you could visit ?
 
Hello
I'm very sorry to read your post, poor little girl and Popeye. My daughter is 9 and lost her best friend Jeff a month ago. He sadly broke his leg and was pts very quickly, it was very sudden and she was absolutely distraught (as was I!)

For the first few days she didn't want to even consider having another pony, she said she would never ride again. But a few days after, she was coming to the yard with me every day to do my horse and felt very empty without a pony to look after. We borrowed a pony (who happened to have been her first pony!) From a friend for a few days so she could brush her and have a job to do at the yard.
People kept approaching me with ponies they knew of for sale and loan, and after almost a week she asked if we could go and see some. After viewing a few she set eyes on a lovely Dun NF gelding with the kindest eyes, and it was a done deal! So not quite 2 weeks later we had a new friend for her. She says Jeff would have liked him and Jeff told her that it was ok to choose this pony as he was a good one. So far she has had a great time with him and he is lovely. She still cries most days when something reminds her of Jeff, or we see someone who asks after him, but she is getting stronger and coping. Thought I would share our story, all kids are different but I think you need to be guided by your daughter x
 
I am so sorry for your loss, no matter how old you are or how long you have had your horse they definately leave hoofprints in your heart. I lost my horse of a lifetime 22 years ago I was devastated I had him for 20 years. I was a teenager when I got him and a mum when I lost him and he was my best friend I still think of him often and am grateful to have photos and lovely memories of our life together. We have lost two of our oldies in the past year both of who had been with us all their lives Leonie was 36 and Dan 25 and had been in our kids lives always as they are 19 and 23 and they were devastated. Our son is 23 and helped his dad and a local farmer friend to bury them both and it really got to him and my husband they are both big strong men but were so upset for a long time afterwards. Luckily we have other horses so life has to go on but they are a part of our family and what helps me through it is that we can say they have had the best life we could have given them and try to do the same with all the others who are in our lives now and in the future, we have lost six in the last 22 years and we are lucky they have all been from 25 to 37 it is so sad to lose a young one, take your time and I am sure someone special will find your daughter, Popeye is probably helping to find her a new friend now, take care.
 
how devastating for you all, :(
my only advice is to talk to your daughter and tell her that when she is ready you will look for another pony, there is no rush and once the pain of losing popeye eases i think she will let you know when she is ready.x
 
That is so so sad :(
If I was you I'd get her some riding lessons so she doesn't lose the "bug". Speak to her and ask her to tell you when she feels ready for a new one.
 
Such a sad story. Your little girl, at such a tender age, has learnt some hard lessons about how tough life can be. Popeye is going to be so hard to replace but you will work out what's best to do together.
 
This has brought tears to my eyes - what a cracking little pony and rider combination they look!
I would say to Shauna that Popeye wouldn't want her to forget how to do all the things he had taught her and to look for a pony that Popeye would like too.

She won't only be grieving for her pony,she'll be missing all the activities connected to having a pony,too, and although another pony won't replace Popeye, it will help her get back into doing the things she obviously loves again.
Pony club might help with knowing of a little treasure who could be loaned in these circumstances? I know if I had one I would send him too you, until the right pony shows up!
 
I feel so sorry for you all - what a devastating loss for your daughter.

My advice as a mum is to let her know she can talk about Popeye whenever she feels like it, but don't force the issue. They all deal with things differently, so don't worry if she's quiet. As a mum, you will pick up the signs when she is ready to think about another pony.

So, so sad for you.
 
I'm so very sorry for yours and your daughters loss, he looked like a cracking pony, and your daughter and he looked great together. I would say whatever you decide not to rush the decision on which pony to buy next, you want to be as sure as anyone ever can be, that the pony is right for your daughter and not just filling the hole of the loss of Popeye.

RIP Popeye x x
 
Just wanted to say ((hugs)) to you both. When your kids hurt all you want to do is make it better:( I know how helpless you feel.

Your pictures are wonderful and brought a real tear to my eye. Echo everyone else and be guided by your daughter. Make sure she does not feel guilty about thinking of getting or actually getting another pony - she will probably miss having a horsey lifestyle so she might want one sooner rather than later.

Whatever you decide I hope you will always look back on Popeye and smile:) x
 
Only just seen this, but wanted to say how sorry I am to read your sad story. She does indeed look a cracking little rider (I'd love a position like that!!). Is there a pony that she can help out with for a while during your search for a new friend? It might keep her in the swing of things, but without the pressure. Good luck. x
 
So sorry to hear about the lose of your lovely pony, if your daughter wants another pony but feels guilty about replacing him you could tell her that as you gave Popeye such a good home it would be a shame to deny another pony such a happy home. Also I'm sure Popeye would hate his pal to be lonely.
They are super photos, so nice to see them happy together not long before he died & your daughter looks like a cracking little rider.
I wish I was as good as her at her age!
 
OMG, I'm blown away by all your lovely and thoughtful replies. thank you all so much. She is a lovely little rider, wish i was as good as her myself. Hopefully, it will all fall into place, and the right pony will come along at just the right time. Thank you all again, much appreciated. Will keep ye posted. xxxxx
 
Shauna spent last night with her dad, came back today, went for a lesson and sat me down tonight, said "mam, i had a nice dream last night, popeye told me to get a new pony, he said i'll know the pony when i see it". amazing. will start looking, but i think popeye will land that pony on her lap, if i knew him at all. delighted she made the decision, didnt want to push her!! now the fun begins. xxxxx
 
popeyesno1fan said:
Shauna spent last night with her dad, came back today, went for a lesson and sat me down tonight, said "mam, i had a nice dream last night, popeye told me to get a new pony, he said i'll know the pony when i see it". amazing. will start looking, but i think popeye will land that pony on her lap, if i knew him at all. delighted she made the decision, didnt want to push her!! now the fun begins. xxxxx
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fantastic news :D Good luck in finding her a new pony though something tells me that he/she might find you :D
 
happyhacking:) said:
fantastic news :D Good luck in finding her a new pony though something tells me that he/she might find you :D
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Happyhacking, and everyone else, i am delighted that she has made the move, we will be looking from here on in. i did have to tell her tonight that we may take a few weeks to come up with the money, and she said, well mam, we havnt found the pony yet!!!! I hope, for my sake, popeye doesnt tell her which pony for a few weeks until i have the money together to buy a new pony. she was on donedeal all night, but at the same time, there was only one pony that maybe pushed her buttons. (hopefully a few weeks to fund the pony!! XX)
 
Ah bless her, I am pleased she's taking it all so bravely,wishing you all the luck in the world finding her new friend..I am sure Popeye will be supervising from above, looking after his little friend...please let us know what happens and hope this has helped you feel a little bit better too xxx
 
This is going to sound crazy, but i'm a little sad that she wants a new pony so soon. I am delighted that she does, really didnt want her sad for too long, but silly me, the mam, is still really sad, and crying over poor popeye. May sound really mad, but as much as i'm delighted that my baby is ok, i'm still grieveing over the pony. What kind of mother am i?? takes me longer. I know shauna will miss him forever, but how is it that i am being more silly than my 7 yr old!!!
 
So sad for you all especially your little girl who obviously had a strong bond with him. RIP Popeye (((hugs))) for your little girl
 
A very sad post. I don't have any advice but I did want to say that Your little girl will have some fabulous happy memories of Popeye that will be with her forever and I hope, whatever you decide to do, that it all works outs and puts a smile on her face.
 
I am soo sorry for your loss I do hope your daughter is okay. What a terrible shock for all :( :( huge hugs to you all (()) be guided by what your daughter wants to do and only you will know when the right time is to replace him
Again thinking of you and your family

The photos are fabulous
xxx
 
I'm a hard cow, but your post actually made me well up.
I'd give her a little time, spend time remembering Popeye and let her take the lead when she's ready.
RIP Popeye x
 
I'm not surprised she's ready to move on before you. You're a grown up and she's a child. Children bounce back so much faster.
 
popeyesno1fan said:
This is going to sound crazy, but i'm a little sad that she wants a new pony so soon. I am delighted that she does, really didnt want her sad for too long, but silly me, the mam, is still really sad, and crying over poor popeye. May sound really mad, but as much as i'm delighted that my baby is ok, i'm still grieveing over the pony. What kind of mother am i?? takes me longer. I know shauna will miss him forever, but how is it that i am being more silly than my 7 yr old!!!
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Our family dog died when my niece was 6. She lived with him for all her life. My Dad was (and still is) very against getting another dog as he's getting on and doesn't want the responsibility of another. Obviously niece was upset for a couple of days but then wanted another dog. Sometimes think it hits kids hard, maybe harder than it does adults but they seem to get over it quicker.

Don't think either of you are being silly at all, it just affects people in different ways.

RIP Popeye (cool name for a pony!)
 
Aww, poor little mite, so sad :'(

I had a new one within a week of losing my old boy, but I knew his days were numbered and I was looking for another anyway. So I would say yes, start looking for another, just don't rush into anything like buying the first one you see.
 
popeyesno1fan said:
This is going to sound crazy, but i'm a little sad that she wants a new pony so soon. I am delighted that she does, really didnt want her sad for too long, but silly me, the mam, is still really sad, and crying over poor popeye. May sound really mad, but as much as i'm delighted that my baby is ok, i'm still grieveing over the pony. What kind of mother am i?? takes me longer. I know shauna will miss him forever, but how is it that i am being more silly than my 7 yr old!!!
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I think you will find that even when she has her new pony you will get days when she cries for Popeye. Kids are very good at living in the moment so a new pony/excitement of getting one will prevail most of the time. But don't be surprised if there are times out of the blue when she just reverts back to missing him.

Bless her, I hope her new best friend gives her just as much fun as Popeye did.
 
So sorry to hear the sad news. I hope your daughter is ok, it will take time for it to sink in, I know I still have days when I cry over the loss of one of our ponies, and that was 5 years ago now..
 
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