Very tough weekend...

[Kim]

The first anniversary of Chutney's death was not without incident, as a sweet older TB at the barn colicked badly and was put down. I found him in distress during a night check...it was awful. :( The only positive was that I found him and that he wasn't suffering all night. (RIP and Godspeed, Kidd)

My horse, Grace, was stabled across from him and went out with him and one other horse (there were 3 horses in total on the property). She watched the whole process of him in distress, and then being euthanized, from her stall. Oddly, she was very calm.

Since his passing, she seems to be very "standoffish" towards the remaining pasturemate. They have always been close. This upsets me, because I feel that she is grieving. :( I am happy that she is not getting herself worked up or anything like that, but it is sad to see her off grazing by herself.

Am I worrying without reason? I have been giving her extra attention, etc. but is this just her way of sorting things out? I am also thinking of taking in a rescue for the winter...shoudl I give Grace more time to grieve before getting one?

Thanks...it was a tough weekend...I am having a hard time getting the images of when I found him out of my mind.

[equineartworks]

oh Kim...I'm so sorry. I have been sitting here a wreck because it is almost 1 year since I adopted Dumplin'...and he is not here to celebrate it with me :(

Give Grace a little time. I think it is normal for them to be "off" for a while. I know that is how it always has been with my dogs when they have lost a long time companion.

I think it is wonderful that you are considering opening your heart to a rescue. It might do Grace (and you!) a world of good. :sadsmile:

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Ditto everything eaw said. So sorry!

[Zu Zu]

So sorry for your loss and Grace's loss too ~ thoughts and prayers for you two during this difficult time. RIP Kidd.

[BuddyRoo]

I think some horses are affected more than others.

I gave away one of my horses about 10 days ago. My other horse, though pastured with the same other 2 horses she's been with for months, was pretty mopey. Would just kind of hang by herself, was a little dull, etc.

Same response when I put my old guy down a few years ago.

She seems to have bounced back though and was her normal self this weekend.

[Kim]

Thanks everyone. I am still trying to get the image of him (when I found him in distress in his stall) out of my mind. :(

[FlashGordon]

Oh Kim how very sad. I am so sorry, for you, and for Kidd, and his people.

It will take you some time to get the image of him in distress out of your head. Just as it will take Grace a little time to get over the loss of her buddy. As hard as it probably was to see him like that, it really is a blessing that you happened upon him and were able to call the vet, etc.

A rescue or horse in need sounds like a nice idea. May give you both something to focus on this winter.

Big hugs.

[Gunnar]

Thanks everyone. I am still trying to get the image of him (when I found him in distress in his stall) out of my mind. :(

Gosh Kim! How awful for you. Grace will be fine. She just needs time, just like you my friend!:sadsmile: Chin up and all that to you!:)

[Kim]

Thanks everyone. She seems to be a little less standoffish today. Tonight when I went to bring them in, they were grazing about 20 feet apart. She still seems a bit sad though. I made sure to spend extra time talking to her, grooming, and giving her treats.

It's kind of odd, because I was watching movies at my friends' house that night and had planned to check the horses around 11:30 PM after the movie. For whatever reason, I decided to leave at 9:30. My friends asked, "Are you leaving already?" but I just felt that I needed to go and check on the horses. It was weird. The vet said that two hours would have made a big difference in that the horse would have suffered for all that time. So sad. :( I also was able to reach his owner (who is devastated) and he was able to be there for his final moments.