Elsbells
Well-Known Member
My beautiful horse of a lifetime whom I've had for over 8 years, who was a quirky and difficult project back then is booked in to be PTS very early tomorrow morning. I'm still swinging from yes I'm absolutely doing the right thing to No, there has got to be another way other than this!?
She'd suffered a catastrophic injury in the stable and the major tendon that runs over the hock was stretched and eventually it snapped completely, this was a mare who was super careful and had never had a days lameness or was ever sick or sorry in the 8 years, so it was a major shock for me. I pleaded with the vets for help and so she had 3 MRIs but ultimately there isn't a cure but maybe she would be field sound. This I was ok with because as I say, I was in shock. I then sunk everything into her that I could at the detriment of my health but I didn't want to give up on her as I love her so much and we had such a powerful bond.
Move on 16 plus months and she now stands in a field looking super lame and although the vets said she would be mechanically lame and not in pain, she does seem to feel something. She looks well even though she's lost the muscle tone as expected she's still essentially a healthy horse, but of course she no longer has a job or even leaves the field unless there's a requirement. This she's not happy with as she loved to work, work, work.
She's 14 years old and quite well bred although that breeding includes some quirks, one of those is becoming very stressed and highly strung when upset. We did send her to stud in the late spring with the intention of breeding something from her for me, but then at my age how wise was that, I don't know? Anyway, it didn't work as she wasn't intrested in the stallion but I guess I could of gone for AI, but then again, stress and circumstances didn't allow.
Part of me wants to keep her, move her to my new yard with my pony so this is where I struggle.
Today I went up with a friend to say our goodbyes and cut some tail, both our girls will go together tomorrow and our OHs will hold them which offers some comfort.
My reason to post is ...I don't really know? I soppose I wonder if what I'm feeling is normal and does anyone have a story like ours and if so, are there regrets?
She'd suffered a catastrophic injury in the stable and the major tendon that runs over the hock was stretched and eventually it snapped completely, this was a mare who was super careful and had never had a days lameness or was ever sick or sorry in the 8 years, so it was a major shock for me. I pleaded with the vets for help and so she had 3 MRIs but ultimately there isn't a cure but maybe she would be field sound. This I was ok with because as I say, I was in shock. I then sunk everything into her that I could at the detriment of my health but I didn't want to give up on her as I love her so much and we had such a powerful bond.
Move on 16 plus months and she now stands in a field looking super lame and although the vets said she would be mechanically lame and not in pain, she does seem to feel something. She looks well even though she's lost the muscle tone as expected she's still essentially a healthy horse, but of course she no longer has a job or even leaves the field unless there's a requirement. This she's not happy with as she loved to work, work, work.
She's 14 years old and quite well bred although that breeding includes some quirks, one of those is becoming very stressed and highly strung when upset. We did send her to stud in the late spring with the intention of breeding something from her for me, but then at my age how wise was that, I don't know? Anyway, it didn't work as she wasn't intrested in the stallion but I guess I could of gone for AI, but then again, stress and circumstances didn't allow.
Part of me wants to keep her, move her to my new yard with my pony so this is where I struggle.
Today I went up with a friend to say our goodbyes and cut some tail, both our girls will go together tomorrow and our OHs will hold them which offers some comfort.
My reason to post is ...I don't really know? I soppose I wonder if what I'm feeling is normal and does anyone have a story like ours and if so, are there regrets?