HomeOnTheRanch Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Two hours ago oldest DS went to the barn. He came in a few minutes later and told me our horse was down and couldn't get up. I went out with my cell phone to see, and she was on her side trying to get up. Her front teeth were broken and she was bleeding a bit from her mouth (I suspect she had hurt it in a fall). We've known this day was coming for quite a while. It was nearly 2 years ago that we had the vet out due to her erratic walking behavior and he officially diagnosed her with "old age." I called DH at work and told him it was time and asked him to make the call to the vet. He called me back a bit later and said the vet was gone on vacation and his sub was out of town until Wed. Ugh. The joys of small town living! He called the vet in the city and found out it would take over $400 for him to come do the deed. DH decided to take care of it himself. She was probably about 30 (it was time!), as gentle as a kitten, and one of the best horses in the world. We will miss her! I am thankful... ...that it happened today when we were all here to say good-bye and not last week when we were gone on vacation. ...that all of the kids understand that putting her down was in her best interest. ...that DH has a gun and knows how to use it. ...that our neighbor has a backhoe. ...that we had the privilege of owning her for her last 3 1/2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Oh, I am so sorry!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Oh no. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm glad that she had a long and peaceful life and that you were all there to say goodbye :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Awww, love her heart. I am sorry for your loss. She sounded like a wonderful horse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missplacedalaskan Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Oh, I'm sorry. She sounded like a wonderful horse. I am thankful you were all there to be able to say goodbye to her. It sounds like she had a good life with your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 That is just heartbreaking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I'm so sorry for your loss - I'm sure it was incredibly difficult for your dh and your family. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 My word, I'm sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beansprouts Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am sorry... :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Sorry for your loss. Thanks for giving her a good home for her final years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am so sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 It's so hard, but you did the right thing. I'm sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3lilreds in NC Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I'm glad your dh can use a gun too - the alternative would have been unthinkable - but it's so hard when you have to do it yourself. So sad. I'm glad she had you all to love her these last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I'm so sorry. I'm sure it was hard but I'm glad that she isn't suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 On my horse list, the-folks-who-know insist that a bullet to the head is a totally humane way to do it. Some even say it's more humane than the vet's method. But it's gotta be harder on the human. I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckabella Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am sorry for you and your family. ((HUGS)) :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 She sounds like a great horse! So sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Oh, I am so sorry....I cant even imagine how hard that was....I am thankful that the horse was so loved:-)....and knew love. Some arent so blessed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am so sorry :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepy Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Poor old girl. :crying: I'm so sorry. :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 My eyes are filled with tears on your behalf. ((((HUGS)))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 On my horse list, the-folks-who-know insist that a bullet to the head is a totally humane way to do it. Some even say it's more humane than the vet's method. They're both humane, done properly. I am so sorry, Homeontheranch, for your loss. I cannot believe your vet would ask $400 for a euthanasia, seems like a ridiculous amount to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Sorry to hear that. My girls have a 30 year old gelding that is the best old guy in the world. I know his day is coming as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Aww... I'm so sorry for your loss and so glad you had the privledge of being there for her in her last hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I'm sorry:grouphug: We put our gentle old geezer down last spring. It was a sad day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 They're both humane, done properly.I am so sorry, Homeontheranch, for your loss. I cannot believe your vet would ask $400 for a euthanasia, seems like a ridiculous amount to me. Actually, I've heard much higher rates. But perhaps the higher rates I've heard involve disposing of the body, which is a huge problem. The high cost of euthanasia is a big factor in why there are so many Craig's List ads for old, sick, dying horses who need to be put down. But instead of spending the $400 - $1000 to do the responsible thing, they want to sell the poor old geezer for $100. Shaking my head. I also read recently about a rescue (noun) that had a low-cost euthanasia clinic where folks could bring the old guys and do what needed to be done. I don't remember the statistics, but it was astonishing how many people brought horses. Way, way more than they anticipated. HOTR, it's a beautiful thing to take care of a horse all the way to the end. Thank you for doing that. I'm very, very sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am so sorry for you and your family.:grouphug: I am happy the horse had a kind and loving family to live with in its last years. Bless you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy in Ky Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am so, so sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shalom22 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am so sorry for you loss. Blessing to you and your family for taking care of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinMominTX Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am so sorry. I've got one right now that is coming close to her time. I worry every time I see her laying down. Hugs to you and yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeOnTheRanch Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share Posted December 11, 2008 Wow. I'm touched by all the thoughts and hugs. Thank you! I've posted a picture on my blog of her (edited for the amusement of my relatives). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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