Sudden loss of my grand daughters show horse:-(

[aoconnor]

With sadness, RIP Shadow.

She was one we took in 4 years ago and delightfully discovered she was a finished Western Pleasure horse! My oldest grand daughter was 7 when we got Shadow, and she loved that mare to pieces. They rode for 3 years together, gaining trust and confidence. Shadow had been losing sight in her left eye, and at a big clinic we participated in back in February last year, Shadow spooked hard when another rider passed her, and my grand daughter chose to retire Shadow after that.

On Sunday I went to the barn to do evening chores and Shad was laying down in the barn yard. She never does that, so I knew it was bad. She had a large, swollen belly from an impaction colic. I immediately took her to my vets, but sadly we weren’t able to resolve the impaction and we put her down yesterday afternoon. Shadow was 23, and with a few other issues as well as overall ability to recover, surgery was not an option.

Please pray for my grand daughter, she was devastated by this loss.

[Woodpecker]

Prayers going up for your grand daughter xo

[feather]

Prayer sent.

[dustawaits]

So sorry to hear the loss of your mare. You did a wonderful job of working
with her and I am more than she she appreciated the love of your great granddaughter.
I do not think horses like early retirement and that she enjoyed her last few year on the circuit.

[oldone]

My prayers go up for you & your granddaughter. You were all Blessed to have each.

[solargeek]

aoconnor, deeply sorry for your and your granddaughter's loss. RIP Shadow.

[mollymckee]

I'm so sorry aocconnor. I lost my first horse at 10, it was a long time before the worst of the pain went away. I hope she will be able to remember the good times sooner than later.

[mzgarden]

Heart pain is the worst pain. I'm sorry for your granddaughter's loss.

[countrymom22]

So sorry for your loss. The good ones take a piece of us with them when they go. I hope you all find comfort in all the wonderful memories left behind. Hugs for your granddaughter. A loss like this takes time to heal.

RIP Shadow.

[aoconnor]

Thanks everyone. My heart just hurts for my Grand girl. She is pretty stoic, but not this time. She really misses Shadow. told her that her Grand pa said to go find her another show horse, and of course she was excited about that until I reminded her she has 2 other show horses to get started right now! Both are younger mares and a bit more horse than Shadow was, but my grand girl will have to step up and get on one and get that relationship building going.