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Post by aoconnor on Sept 12, 2016 2:57:51 GMT
I am heartbroken. I came home from church today and saw one of my horses standing in the barnyard. Just standing. Very unusual for that time of day, as my horses all get turned out and head to far pastures each day after breakfast. So seeing a singleton hanging out made me nervous. I go to him, he was standing very still, had a lot of swelling in his left hind leg. Several other abrasions on him in different locations as well. While I have no idea what happened to him, one thing was for sure....his leg was broken and he was unable to walk. It took an hour to go 30 feet to get him to the barn, and then I called my vet, knowing what I would have to ask her to come do. She arrived 20 minutes later, and she validated my concern and thoughts. We got him back out of the barn and led him to a nearby tree, where we quietly, sadly, put him down.
"Hoppy" was a sheriff department intake that came to me with a catastrophic injury to his whole right hind leg from the hock to the fetlock, totally involved with the whole section of leg. My vet looked at him today and said that he had broken his back at some time in his life, and that is what caused the issue he had called String halt which is a neurological disease that inhibits correct nerve action/reaction in legs, which is what caused his leg injury. It all led to what happened today we believe, as he probably couldn't control his right hind and got caught up in something that broke his other hind leg. Whatever it was, he is gone, and I am so completely sad. Rest in peace Hoppy buddy, you were a good boy.
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Post by solargeek on Sept 12, 2016 4:03:25 GMT
I am deeply sorry for your loss. They leave huge holes in our hearts.
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Post by mzgarden on Sept 12, 2016 10:16:30 GMT
I am so sorry.
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Post by horseyrider on Sept 12, 2016 11:19:13 GMT
Horses are such fragile creatures. I don't know what's worse, to watch the slow decline of a dear old one, or the surprise loss like this. It seems like we turn our heads for only a moment and they're gone.
I'm so sorry for your loss, and for Hoppy's pain. May he run free in celestial herds, deep in green grass with warm sunshine on his back.
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Post by copperkid3 on Sept 12, 2016 13:06:23 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss.,.
They are big lugs, but the void they leave behind still hurts.
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Post by here to stay on Sept 12, 2016 14:08:13 GMT
I'm sorry. Poor Hoppy. He seems to have had a lot of bad luck, except for falling into your hands. RIP now.
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Post by shellymay on Sept 12, 2016 14:14:34 GMT
Sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace. (hugs)
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Post by mollymckee on Sept 12, 2016 15:24:28 GMT
I'm so sorry, aoconnor.
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Post by Woodpecker on Sept 12, 2016 16:24:21 GMT
So sorry for the loss of your loved hoppy. Prayers for peace.
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Post by hobbitlady on Sept 12, 2016 17:29:48 GMT
I'm sad with you too aoconnor, the bigger the heart,the bigger the sorrowful loss. You gave him Such a good home though so you can feel good about that at least. Half my life ago I had to let go of a horse when a relationship broke up (I had to live in a city for several years) and I swear I cried over my horse (even though he got a good home) more than the man. Years later I wrote to find out his history and was so relieved he had a very active life that I know he loved and made it into his 20s. Horse losses Still make my eyes tear up,although I was never able to have another.Bless you for your special adoptions like Hoppy. |
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Post by countrymom22 on Sept 12, 2016 22:35:03 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss! The hole that Hoppy leaves behind is a testament to the special guy he was. No matter what he endured in his life before he came to you, you gave him a good life and lots of love.
That's more than many of them get. It won't stop the pain, but I hope you can take comfort in knowing he was meant to end up with you, and he will be waiting to see you again. I believe that, as I can't believe that Heaven wouldn't allow horses!
RIP Hoppy, you'll be missed. Hugs,
Sue
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Post by aoconnor on Sept 13, 2016 1:26:46 GMT
Thank you all, I appreciate the kind words and sentiments. Hoppy was a super special boy, I am thankful to have had the time with him that I had. His lady friend is missing him, too. The whole herd in small groups of two or three, walked on and around his grave site, which is just behind the barn under his favorite tree. They sniffed and smelled, pawed a bit, then moved on. My mini mule was the worst, Hoppy was his best bud and the mule wouldn't leave the site. He kept pawing, digging up the packed down dirt over Hoppys grave. Sigh...it made me really sad this morning.
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Post by shellymay on Sept 13, 2016 17:08:58 GMT
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Post by countrymom22 on Sept 14, 2016 1:23:11 GMT
I'm sorry that Hoppy's herdmates are taking his loss so hard as it makes it harder for you. But animals do feel for each other and they will miss him for awhile. It's just their way of acknowledging he's gone. Eventually, they will get back to a new normal, but it is hard watching them grieve.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Sept 14, 2016 1:34:53 GMT
Hey there aoconnor, Just wanted you to know I happened upon this thread yesterday and have been doing an awful lot of thinking of you and Hoppy... That so totally bites... I can't imagine how hard it is to lose a horse vs. a chicken? (Me being a chicken lover of course...) I do so love horses... In my pre-teen/teen years we had friends that had horses-I rode a lot! MANY wonderful/carefree memories... You're in my prayers, friend... ~Mari |
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Post by bergere on Sept 27, 2016 13:54:19 GMT
Oh no Connor. I am so very, very sorry for your loss. (((hugs)))
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