My Mare just literally dropped dead!!! Info Please

[Rubs Not Pats]

Tonight I had a very bad night. I fed at about 5 pm. At that time I have to walk into my pastures and throw hay. My 24 year old mare walked over and started eating with her pasture mate. Everything looked fine. 20 minutes later my neighbor comes banging on my door telling me the horses got "excited" when he fed and one was caught and thrashing (which I now think was her being agonal behavior) in my fence. I threw on clothes and flew outside. By that time my mare was mostly gone. She had no palpebral response and respiration but seemed to have refill. I could not detect a pulse. She was laterally recumbent. I attempted CPR, but knew it was a lost cause. I had called my vet and husband and by the time husband arrived 10 minutes later, I gave up. I had nothing but a dead horse. She was in an awkward position, hind legs in her run in shed and front and head end out making a "U " around the post going down hill. There was absolutely no signs of struggle and or casting. Her abdomen was not distended and she had no signs of any bleeding from nostrils. She had not gotten into a fight with the fence. There were no struggle marks in the ground either. This mare was healthy, and has had no health problems. She lives in a big turn out with a buddy or buddies all of the time. There was no warning 20 minutes before, she was not colicing, did her usual pee before eating and went to chow down. Has anyone else had this happen? I want to believe it was some sort of rapid cardiac problem and she didn't suffer, but I don't really know if that happens.

I met my husband because this mare got hurt when she was 6, I got her when she was four. She was essentially my sweet 16 gift, and I am now 35. So she has been with me a long time. I have her baby (who is 12), who is a carbon copy of her.

Anyway, I just need some feedback on what happened. Thanks! I apologize in advance for spelling and grammer, it's 2:30 am here and I can't sleep.

[IslandGirl]

Jingles, jingles, jingles to you, and big, big hugs.

This happened to me about a year and a half ago. My horse was only 12, and he literally dropped dead. Went out to feed in the A.M., saw him standing by the gate as usual. Ten minutes later, a friend that was with me went out to bring the horses in, came rushing back into the barn saying this horse was across the field in severe distress. From a distance, I thought it was colic, so I called the vet and my trainer and went to retrieve the horse. He wouldn't move. Finally got him about half way across the field, where he collapsed on the ground. Less than 5 minutes later he was dead. The vet said it was an aneurysm but, without a necropsy, there's no way to tell with certainty.

My heart goes out to you.

[blackstallion]

I am sorry for your shocking loss. I know it is very hard, but horses can have fatal stokes or aneurisms and pass suddenly without warning, like people. There is really nothing you can do, but be thankful that she enjoyed her last day and that she left quickly without suffering. You could ask for a necropsy if you wanted to know for sure, but these things happen without any warning.

Jingles for you and the buddies she left behind.

[Bluey]

Grandma was 84 and still riding her 24 year old gelding out with me, with my first two colts, every morning.

One morning, at feeding, he was laying there, dead, still warm, no struggle, looked like he was asleep and died.:cry:
He was perfectly happy and healthy the evening before.:confused:
Grandma never wanted to ride after he passed on.:no:

Sorry you are going thru that schock now.:(
In a way, we can be glad that they went so easy.:yes:

[thumbsontop]

I am so, so sorry. I can't offer any assistance but jingles. That must have been very shocking for you. Thank goodness she didn't suffer.

[Lady Counselor]

I'm so sorry. That's a tough one to have to go through.
It happened to me years ago, and it was awful. All I can say is, we can't stop or change everything as much as we'd like to. My horse threw a clot. He was alive, then he was down thrashing, dead moments later. Years later, I can look back and be grateful that he didn't linger and decline for years, making me have to decide to euthanize him.
For whatever it's worth, it sounds like she had a good life with very little suffering at the end.
And you should be able to take comfort in the knowledge that you gave her a happy life.
Again, I'm sorry you had to experience that. It does suck. :cry:

[MistyBlue]

Oh I'm so sorry. :cry: It's so damn hard when they go out of the blue like that.
I'm sure there's a few things it could be...I'm no vet so don't know all the causes of a fast death like that.
I can say I've seen 3 horses go fast like that though. One was instantaneous...he was being ridden and I was riding with him and his owner. Horse stopped during a trot and stood absolutely still for about 3 seconds looking odd, then just collapsed onto the ground. He was dead when he hit the ground. Most likely aneurysm.
The other two weren't being ridden...one was in it's stall the other in turnout. Both of those made some noise and started staggering around out of the blue. One dropped down within a minute...the other it was about 3-4 minutes I think. Both then died...one had a necropsy and the vet determined it was cardiac failure. That horse didn't have a history of heart issues. The other horse no necropsy but it did have a history of heart problems.
I'm not sure if this helps in any way...hopefully a vet will chime in or someone who's had this happened and found out the cause with better/more info.
Again though...my deepest condolences. :(

[shawneeAcres]

Most likely a cerebral hemorhage, this happens to an 18 year old gelding I owned, one of my students was trail riding him when he staggered (luckily she got off) and dropped dead. It happens and at least it is a quick way for them to go. I am sorry for your loss, but she was a 24 year old mare and unfortuantely that is the age that we lose most of our horses

[Laurierace]

The only way to know for sure what happened is to do a necropsy. To answer your overall question, as others have stated there are in fact countless things that could cause her to be fine one minute and dead the next with little awareness or pain on her part. I am sure it is a horrible shock for you but I think she really wanted to spare you from having to watch her deteriorate and then have to make that hard decision to end her suffering. Not the kind of gift you wanted, but a gift nonetheless.
Hugs to you, Godspeed.

[Windswept Stable]

So sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in your happy memories of the horse.

[yellowbritches]

So sorry.

However, she was 24 yrs. old. Nowadays, that doesn't always seem that old, considering how many horses are living long, happy, healthy lives into their 30s, but it is still old. Her time was up. Plain and simple. Be glad she went quickly while still was feeling good. I pray that when my old guy's time comes, it is more like that, and not a long, agonizing struggle that I will have to end myself. :no:

Hugs to you. It is no fun when they leave.

[TrueColours]

I am so sorry ...

It does sound like sudden cardiac failure or something similar

This sounds like what happened to a friend's horse as well - a young (3 year old) mare

They walked out to the paddock to find her dead in a little dip in the field. No signs of struggle, no broken bones. Nothing. She just literally dropped and died on the spot ...

{{{HUGS}}} to you and Godspeed to your mare ...

[cyberbay]

It looked like my horse had the same experience, just last week. He was calm when the BO was bringing out breakfast to him and his pasturemates, then suddenly he reared up, ran off, and fell over. And taht was that. The BO thought a heart attack or a seizure. In any case, quick-ish (but not as quick as everyone would like to think it) and final. I was grateful the most that someone had witnessed the actual event, and he wasn't found on the ground (esp. given that it's still hunting season where he lives) some random morning. He was old, too.

I won't tell you to 'be thankful' about anything, either. You have your own feelings, your own priorities. I'm guessing it must have been shocking, and at times feels so inexplicable. Lots of jingles from here.

[Blu]

Just wanted to share a similar story here. Where I used to work we had a 25 yr old schoolie (a saint, everyones favorite) and in the afternoons we had help from lesson kids (which I was one too, but older). All the horses were fine, I had just walked past his pasture (with him running like a wild man) while the other kid was getting him to bring him in. From the time it took him to bring that horse in and for me to go grab another one and walk in the barn he was already gone. The poor kid literally had put this horse in the stall and he walked back to the corner went down and passed away. Kid didn't even get his halter off. It was very traumatic for the kid and everyone else, but he went so fast. It was a very sad day but at least he went quickly.

Vet said it was most likely an aneurysm.

I am so very very sorry for your loss. As someone else said 24 is old and it was just her time to go.

[ybiaw]

:cry: I'm so sorry about your girl. :cry:

[EventingJ]

((HUGS)) Had the horse that got me started into eventing die a little like this, at the age of 24. He was actually cantering in his pasture, took a really funny looking step and then more or less summersaulted to the ground and was dead before anyone could get to him. I was actually glad he went fast, he was sort of a proud and stoic horse, he didnt want to admit that he was getting a little arthritic. I had evented him novice up until he was 22, and then a couple smaller jumper shows early in his 23 year. He had been in great condition, he looked as though he were 12.

[Thomas_1]

I'm very sorry to hear your sad news.

I've had a horse drop dead when I was riding it. About 12 years ago just out for a quiet ride out on a horse that was totally healthy when suddenly he scooted backwards off the road and dropped his back legs into a ditch. At first I thought he'd spooked at something, and was being stupid, but then he literally just dropped dead. He'd had a ruptured aortic artery. (I had him PM'd)

It does indeed happen though thankfully its a relatively rare event. Though I've personally known a couple of other folks that have had similar happen. Including a friend whose horse did just that and only a week after having passed a vet inspection with a full check up. Thing is though that such sudden onset stuff is absolutely unpredicted and unforseen.

The only real way to find out what happened is to have a post mortem done. If there's no other horses seemingly unwell, or in other words you're not concerned that it might have been something like toxin or disease that might affect others, then it might not be worth the money. Though if you've insurance, it might cover the cost and indeed, might be required.

I know its a shocking event and you will be mourning the sudden death and with no time to prepare your emotions, but she won't have suffered and to me it seems a fitting end to have a sudden death. Horses are such noble animals and its really not good to see them age and decline and suffer. Take comfort that she's had a healthy and long life with you and died where she was safe and comfortable.

In time you'll remember the happier times rather than this tragic final event.

[El Tovar]

what did this mare eat regularly?

[grayarabpony]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

Your mare's death was most likely due to an aneurysm. That is the most common cause of sudden death in horses.

I lost my mare when her main uterine artery ruptured after foaling (I had a PM done), and the shock was very hurtful.

[Woodland]

My mare had a stroke and died on my 40th birthday. We went to dinner - the horses were fine. We can back - she was almost gone. The vet came to finish the job. Hubby took the next day off so we could bury her. She was 28 had had 13 foals, and was one of the best horses I'd ever had the pleasure to know and ride.

[pintopiaffe]

I'm so sorry.

No answers for you. Just (((hugs)))

[Tiempo]

I'm so sorry for your loss :cry:

I'm thinking heart or brain too, stroke, aneurism etc.

My friend lost her 7 year old very robust Fjord a couple of years ago to a sudden, massive torn aorta.

She tucked him in at night, and the next morning he was dead in his stall with no signs of a struggle.

She had a necropsy done, the vet told her it would have been very fast, and relatively peaceful.

Again, I'm sorry. And to the rest of the posters here too who had similar experiences, Thomas, that must have been terrible :cry:

[Thomas_1]

Again, I'm sorry. And to the rest of the posters here too who had similar experiences, Thomas, that must have been terrible :cry: Yes indeed. I got trapped with my left leg under the horses side. Fortunately because he dropped into the ditch, the ground was very soft and muddy and so I wasn't hurt and managed to struggle and get out.

Had to run home and then go back with a tractor, bacactor and bucket to go get the horse out. I've had better days!!

[Tory Relic]

My condolences. Jingles to you and her pasture mates.

[Cherry]

Rubs Not Pats--I have no additional veterinary info to share as others have covered it well....

I just want to say that my heart goes out to you..... :sadsmile: I know it's a tough thing to witness and to go through. I hate Death--always have! :mad: I am wishing you Peace to get past your grief.

[3Spots]

Jingles and hugs, Rubs. I lost my guy in June and it takes the wind out of you.

[RydArab]

((HUGS)) to you for giving your mare a forever home. I am so sorry that you and your human/horse family have had to go through this shocking loss.:( I am glad that that your mare was munching hay with her buddies before she had to go.

It is such a difficult thing to lose them...

Take care,
S.

[hey101]

OMG, I am so incredibly sorry to hear that. My sincerest condolences.

I echo the others who said it's probably some kind of cerebral hemmorhage or cardiac arrest. If you really need to know, get a necropsy done.

I hope you have a fantastic photo of you and your mare somewhere, maybe with her baby as well- get it reframed, with some other memento- a special ribbon you won, or a lock of her hair, and think of the fabulous 20 years you had with her.

Again I'm so sorry. :cry:

[Sanely Eccentric]

I lost my wonderful mare 7 years ago this week. I was devastated as I am sure you are at the loss of your horse, your friend. My mare's photo still hangs in my living room with all the other family photos; it shows her with her newborn foal and is a very peaceful, heartwarming picture. It's so hard to let go, yet I suggest from experience that you concentrate on the wonderful memories as you grieve as it does ease some of the heartache. Have some long talks with your mare's daughter, I do the same with my mare's daughter and it helps some. Let yourself grieve.

You're in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for this termendous loss of yours.

Karen

[Rubs Not Pats]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. I did not expect this and seeing how she wasn't 100% gone when I got there, I panicked. Who knows how to do CPR on thir horse?My dog/cat/husband OK but this was a little demanding. Anyway, I am very happy she didn't suffer. My only problem is that they are getting her today and I feel like I need to be there but my last one they took, gave me nightmares for months. I work in animal healthcare, and I know what happens to them with a necropsy and I can't do that to her. It was all I could do when I found out that my last one who was supposed to be creamated was rendered. He didn't deserve that. It's been hard but she had a good life, lived in my pasture and hasn't worked in the past 12 years, so I think as horses go, she was lucky. She had her feet done, teeth foated, got wormed, had her vaccines and had buddies. It just sucks on one hand that I had no warning and yet it is also a blessing on the other. Thank you all for your kind words. Godspeed Miss Misty Image

[drifter05]

Godspeed Miss Misty Image. Hugs to you Rubs Not Pats. I've seen this happen once with a Clydesdale mare I used to take care of. There were 30 Clydes I worked with. Horse Illustrated mag showed up to take photographs of her and some others. Her handler took her out to a paddock and removed her halter. She did one lap..running..around the paddock. Got up to the gate and kind of jolted forward...looked like she got a shock. Then stumbled backward in a drunklike state and went down. She lingered for a bit but never moved again. Very sad. No apparent suffering. I'm sure this is similar to your sweet horse.

[EqTrainer]

Yes, horses do just die, without pain or struggle or fear.

As hard as it is to understand WHY your horse and WHY today..

I would try to see this as an odd blessing. I personally wish this for all my horses, other animals AND human friends. Here one moment, gone the next...

and I totally understand why you would not want a necropsy. She is gone and nothing will bring her back. When my beloved doggie died unexpectedly, I did not have one done for that reason.

[amdfarm]

So sorry to hear about your mare! I've lost four over the years and it sucks for sure... None of them were "old" either... just things that happen. Can you even do CPR on a horse effectively? Their hearts are so deep in their chests and I would think it would take a really strong person to pump it, if it's even possible. Like you though, I would have tried also.
I understand on the necropsy, too. My vet will come on-farm and do them, but then you're left w/ the disposal and it's not pretty seeing them like that. Last one I watched was on a friend's weanling and it was awful to see him like that, but because I sold him before weaning, we needed to know cause of death.
It sounds like your mare had a wonderful life for sure.
Hang in there!

[Bluehorsesjp]

Oh Rubs I am so so sorry.

I have nothing to add to the previous posts just sympathy and hugs. It is never easy to loose one.

Godspeed Miss Misty Image

[Appassionato]

A very similar thing happened to my friend's 9 YO AQHA stallion. My friend got to the farm from work and found him dead. Absolutely no sign of struggle, the only thing seen was a small amount of blood coming out of a nostril I believe. She didn't do a necropsy due to the ability to move him to a facility, the distance, etc. We're pretty sure it was a aneurysm though.

Godspeed to your girl and big hugs to you!

[Gestalt]

((((HUGS))))

I was taking care of a 24 yo mare and she went down in her stall after finishing breakfast. She thrashed for about 3 minutes and then died. It was shocking. The stall wall was knocked out and the horse in the adjoining stall freaked out.

When the vet arrived he said it was possible her stomach ruptured and she bled to death. It doesn't take long. A necropsy wasn't done, the owner just wanted her buried as soon as possible.

[hackinaround]

Rubs I am so very sorry. There never is a good time to loose someone that you love.

Several years ago one of our mares died suddenly. She was a ex A/O horse that retired due to injury. Then had a stint as a broodie but she got to upset and weaning time. Anyway she found her niche as a schoolie.
She was about 18-20 I just cant remember. Anyway a student (child) had just gotten on her and started to warm her up. She staggered luckly the child got off , stumbled and fell. I got to her as she got up..I pulled her tack and she fell again..hit me in face bloodied my lip but I didnt notice.
She never got up again. Called out moved her legs like she was running and then was still.

When I checked her color the first time she went down she was white white white! No refil time. Vet said based on that and the suddenness that it was most likely an anuerysm or heart attack.

I was sad to watch but good to know she went quickly. I only wish the child had not been there.

[citydog]

No info to add, but I am very sorry for your loss.

And the rendering/cremation mistake brought tears to my eyes. I can't imagine how that must have made you feel. :no: As much as my brain tells me that their spirit is gone and the body is just an empty husk, my gut demands a certain care/respect for their bodies.

When my most beloved dog died, I retched at the thought of doing a necropsy on him at first. But the cremation place (which was wonderful) had to keep him in a freezer for a week until they did their next set. In that time, as the immediacy of the shock passed, I became ok with the idea of doing the necro, and had it done. Ultimately, I was glad I did.

[ctanner]

I am so sorry for your loss.Jingling.

[onetempies]

.. The vet said it was an aneurysm but, without a necropsy, there's no way to tell with certainty...

My heart goes out to you.

We experienced the same thing with a gelding at my trainer's farm years ago. We were all getting our horses wrapped up to haul to a show. I had my arab mare in the crossties way up front in the aisleway and my Holsteiner/TB x mare in the middle crossties... gelding was in the crossties behind my Holsteiner/TB mare. We heard a bang of the gelding breaking away from the crossties then he sort of blindly flew down the aisleway. Somehow he stayed to the right side of my Hol/TB x mare, went under the crosstie, then ended up front by my arab mare and he collapsed to the right side of her. AMAZINGLY, both of my mares just stayed calm and moved to the left to allow room for this big boy (a huge 17.1hh Holsteiner gelding). Any other time, my Arab mare would have freaked out by the commotion. But the vet said the same thing as what IslandGirl stated in her case. Our vet said that more than likely, the gelding was "gone" before he even collapsed. :(

[BelladonnaLily]

I'm so sorry. :cry:

My mare is coming 26 and I truly hope that is how she goes. She wouldn't do well with a prolonged illness or any major treatments, so I truly dread having things start going wrong with her. I pray that when her time is up, she'll simply go. I dread thinking about her going at all...but I know she will and the quicker, the better :yes: :sadsmile:

[Buffyblue]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Misty. I used to have a herd of older horses myself, and they've all passed on now. It's never easy to lose one, but my advice would be to let your other animals help you through this time. Odd, but I remember a horse with the same name from when I had my little herd - did she ever live in Brooklyn? Just wondering. Hugs from me and Buffy.

[abbydp]

I am so sorry for your loss. Misty sounds like an amazing mare. I can't imagine much better of an end - a good dinner and full belly, surrounded by her buddies, and you with her at the very end, with what sounds like no fear or pain. I went through the same thing a few years ago. It is an overwhelming shock, but there is really no way to be ready IMO. I will be thinking about you, and wishing her a quick journey.

[Rubs Not Pats]

Buffy,
Who are you?, yes, she did live in Brooklyn! I had her there about late 80's- early 90's. The world is too small.

[ddashaq]

I am so sorry for your loss.

A lesson horse at a barn where I taught in my early 20s did something similar. She had just finished eating her supper and was headed out to the pasture for the night when she just went down and never got up again. We believe that she had a heart attack but we did not have he necropsied so we do not know for sure. She was in her late 20s so it was obviously her time to go, but it was still very distressing to have her there one minute and gone the next.:(

[Buffyblue]

I was one of Wendy's students, and had 4 horses at Bergen Beach - around 1990-1992. Buttercup, Rita, Shazam and Trigger.

[JanWeber]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I once bought a lovely mare who was going to teach me to jump - my first "own" horse. Six months later, she just laid down and died in the pasture - no sign of a struggle (colic) - anything. She just - died. The vet believes it was an aneurysm - she had been perfectly fine hours before.

[goeslikestink]

i have known horses to died of a heart attack and just drop dead

my aunty had a livery well she had loads but one saturday was taking my usual trip to the chippy and crossed the geldings field as chippy was on the other side all well when i cross to go
i was only 11 then and i come back and one of the horses was lying down real odd like
so i walked passed him easting me chips, then something told me to go back and have another look so iam standing there ewating my chips looking at this horse idnt want to touch himas in touch him but did and then i poke him nothing happened so i got a stick and poked him
nothing happened decided he was diffinately dead and went on my way back to the stables to tell my aunty- he had a heart attack and he was 7 big 16hh grey horse

another time i knew of one was about when i was 22 and here in kent about 5mins from my yard to the left of me is a 2mile gallop, saw my freind go over the bridge that runs along one end of my fields to go towards the gallops and country park.. about 2omins later
i set off as it was such a nice day i thought yeah mine could do with a blow so headed off in same direction something must have told me to go that day
as i got to the gallops as its clear and you can see all the way up it, i saw in the distance a lump-- but couldnt quite make out what it was-- and those days mobys were huge and most people didnt have one- anyways hits the gallops and started off and its becoming clearer
i couldnt get there fast enough as it was my mate and her horse lucky for me i was on my old pony mare - i will never forget that day- the horse had died of a heart attack trapping my freind underneath him- ther was nothing i could do she was stuck as he fell and shes was trapped to one side of him theres no way i could lift him of her on my own-
and she was so upset half crying from her horse and half crying from shear panic- i calmed her and said i get help - gallop wasnt the word i did the nearest palce to get him wqas home and the neighbours then rush back - which obviously the neihbour got there before
me with his landy and winch and his wife called the vet etc
never forgotten that horse was 15yrs

things happen life throws us thing way beyond our control but your was happy and loved so she stayed homed where she was loved
xx hugs and cuddles

[LarkspurCO]

I'm very sorry to hear about your mare. The same thing happened to my gelding six years ago. I chose not to have the necropsy but later regretted that decision. It has nagged me ever since, not knowing why he died. The vet's best guess was a ruptured aorta. He was 20.

Also, and I don't mean to sound macabre, but most places dismember the horse's body to fit it in the crematory. Had I known, I would have buried him instead.

[Lori]

I am so sorry.

The only way to get an answer is a necrospy and even those are not always going to tell you (I had one done on a bird that showed "unknown" even though it was extensive).

I was watching a show tonight, some medical examiner show, and a man dropped dead behind the wheel. It was an anyerysm in the artery by the spleen. The coroner said he had the defect for his lifetime and it showed signs of his body trying to repair a slow leak, but when it burst, he lost too much blood and paramedics could not revive him.
She said that undetected, these things can go off at any time. :(

[tullyleague]

Oh my goodness. I am so, so sorry for your loss. :(

[amdfarm]

I was watching a show tonight, some medical examiner show, and a man dropped dead behind the wheel. It was an anyerysm in the artery by the spleen. The coroner said he had the defect for his lifetime and it showed signs of his body trying to repair a slow leak, but when it burst, he lost too much blood and paramedics could not revive him.
She said that undetected, these things can go off at any time. :(

Yes, unfortunately aneurysms are like ticking time bombs no matter where they're located.

Such sad stories. I'm sorry for everyone's losses.

[Rubs Not Pats]

Buffy,
I remember Trigger and Buttercup and Rita from their days at 51 Caton Place (Culmett before Prospect Park). I am not sure who Shazam was, was it a hot chestnut AQHA? I was like 12! This was the same Misty, I still had her. She had not been ridden since/shown since '91, when I moved to AZ. I bred her to Alpenstern and have a gelding clone of her that is my lawnmower. He had some problems and is more of a pet than anything else. PT me, I still keep in touch with many of the barn groupies and my Mother in Law keeps her horse on SI.

I am doing better tonight. They came and got her this afternoon. The shock of it being so sudden was difficult. I am glad she didn't suffer. She was a good mare.

Lisa

[LotsofSlots]

The same thing happened to my sisters horse, he was a very healthy 27. She was at the barn he was fine, she left and a hour later the BO called to say he was gone. She called the Vet out who said it was probably his heart and he had not strugled at all. She could not believe it as he was the healthy one. She has a 29 year old that had been sick all summer. She could not talk about it for a week.

I am so sorry for your lose. The only thing that helped her was that it was fast and he had been so happy and healthy till he died. I hope this helps you as well.

[Calena]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We had one at the last barn that I boarded that did this. Very healthy, well cared for 18 YO gelding. Just dropped dead out of the blue. The owner paid for the necropsy and they confirmed an aneurysm.

The thing about these types of deaths is that they are the kindest on those they take and yet so cruel on those left behind. There simply is no time to prepare emotionally for the inevitable. God bless, comfort and strengthen you as you work to recover from this shock.

[classicsporthorses]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[kookicat]

I'm so sorry.

[shea'smom]

Rubs Not Pats, I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you gave her a great life, and that is really what counts.

[Daydream Believer]

I am also very sorry to hear of your sudden and tragic loss.

[Buffyblue]

Buffy,
I remember Trigger and Buttercup and Rita from their days at 51 Caton Place (Culmett before Prospect Park). I am not sure who Shazam was, was it a hot chestnut AQHA?


Yes, that sounds like him! I think he was an appendix QH but of course I never got the papers. I think your mare was a hot chestnut TB mare, right? And very beautiful, I might add! It sounds like you knew my little herd before I even met them. I'm glad to hear you're feeling a little better today. It will take time, but you are so lucky to have had her for so long, and will have lots of wonderful memories. I'm sure my little herd will be welcoming her to the Bridge, if they haven't already done so. I sent you a PT.

Bonny & Buffy

[erinwillow]

very sorry to hear of this. . . maybe just a heart attack?? We don't usually diagnose things like that in horses, i.e. heart murmer or these kinds of things. . . . I will say a prayer not only for her but for you as this must all be terribly difficult.

[Alagirl]

As usual, chiming in late...

it could have beene as simple as a heart attack, or just plain her time to go. 24 is a good age for a horse.

I know the OPs feelings only too well. When my sisters mare passed away at age 22. She had been in the family all her live, rased by my uncle, and started by my sister...even having not seen her in many years I felt very sad to know she was gone. if it is any consolation, French top horse Japeloupe died at the tender age of 16...like people, you never can tell.

Take comfort that she went quickly, no long suffering, no pain...the way everybody should be allowed to go.

Hugs and jingles, because that empty stall will hurt for a while....