Hippona
Well-Known Member
Cant quite believe I'm posting this......so sudden.
Sunday...galloping accross cornfields.
Yesterday....right as rain in the field.
This morning....bit off colour. Lying down in field.....looked a bit colicy so we did the old walking around and he did a poo so I thought great, should be OK. Didn't pick up....called the vet who came in about 30mins, in which time he was pawing the ground, trying to get down.
Vet came....rectal exam ok...tubed him.....loads of stomach contents came up. She was brilliant- explained it was bad...most likely some sort of benign growth which wraps around the intestine and 'strangles' it. 2 options...3 hours (at least ) journey to Liverpool for a major op and at least a months box rest- which to Desi would have been a nightmare. Or put to sleep.
I couldnt decide. So he had painkillers and sedatives and a mooch in the field whilst I fell to pieces.
Bearing in mind he was at least 20, the chance he may not pull through and the box rest issue.....I took the decision to have him put to sleep.
Within an hour or so the painkillers were wearing off and he was starting to look miserable again. I called the vet who came straight back out....by which time he was pawing the ground again. The vet said she was sure he wouldn't have made the journey he had deteriorated so fast.
So today at 4.20pm Desi went to sleep in his paddock.
I'm still in shock. I can't cry anymore. The suddeness is partly a blessing....none of that wondering if I should give him another winter...he was belting around the paddock yesterday like a 4 year old...and apparantly thats the way this thing goes. No signs...then wham.
Give your horses an extra cuddle tonight and please please never take them for granted. I thought my lad had years left with me.
Be at peace Des....see ya lad.
Sunday...galloping accross cornfields.
Yesterday....right as rain in the field.
This morning....bit off colour. Lying down in field.....looked a bit colicy so we did the old walking around and he did a poo so I thought great, should be OK. Didn't pick up....called the vet who came in about 30mins, in which time he was pawing the ground, trying to get down.
Vet came....rectal exam ok...tubed him.....loads of stomach contents came up. She was brilliant- explained it was bad...most likely some sort of benign growth which wraps around the intestine and 'strangles' it. 2 options...3 hours (at least ) journey to Liverpool for a major op and at least a months box rest- which to Desi would have been a nightmare. Or put to sleep.
I couldnt decide. So he had painkillers and sedatives and a mooch in the field whilst I fell to pieces.
Bearing in mind he was at least 20, the chance he may not pull through and the box rest issue.....I took the decision to have him put to sleep.
Within an hour or so the painkillers were wearing off and he was starting to look miserable again. I called the vet who came straight back out....by which time he was pawing the ground again. The vet said she was sure he wouldn't have made the journey he had deteriorated so fast.
So today at 4.20pm Desi went to sleep in his paddock.
I'm still in shock. I can't cry anymore. The suddeness is partly a blessing....none of that wondering if I should give him another winter...he was belting around the paddock yesterday like a 4 year old...and apparantly thats the way this thing goes. No signs...then wham.
Give your horses an extra cuddle tonight and please please never take them for granted. I thought my lad had years left with me.
Be at peace Des....see ya lad.
, may he RIP.
