{{{HUGS}}} to Gwen in Germany ...

[TrueColours]

It must be truly awful losing a horse that you have had forever ... :(

I got this email from Gwen this afternoon. She knew this day was coming for quite some time, but when the time finally does arrive, it can rip your heart apart ... :(

My old mare Bianca was just finally euthanized ten minutes ago and I am sitting here crying. It was postponed all these last weeks, but was done now. She was 32.5 years old and I know it was the right thing to do but she was with me since she was 10 years old and I am almost crying my eyes out of pain. It is terrible to love a horse so much and have to send it away….


HUGE {{{HUGS}}} Gwen. It is a real testament to you and your care that Bianca lived to the wonderful age of 32 1/2 and with winter setting in, you would have never forgiven yourself if she slipped and fell and was unable to get up and she died cold and in pain. This was the most compassionate and best thing you could have done for her ...

[Daydream Believer]

Oh...I'm so sorry. I know your pain and I have been there too.:sadsmile: Know that you did the right thing for your old horse. {{{{hugs}}}}

[genevieveg17]

Hugs to you Gwen. What a sad day.
RIP Bianca

[Rhyadawn]

HUGS for Gwen. You did the right thing.

[StarflowerStables]

Awww...so sad for your loss but you did do what was best for her and she thanks you for that. {{{HUGS}}}

[Equilibrium]

Big hugs for Gwen. She had a great life with you and you did the right thing.

Terri

[TrueColours]

Gwen said it was okay to post these 2 pictures of Bianca, taken in the summer of 2009:

http://www.angelfire.com/on3/TrueColoursFarm/images/Bianca1.jpg

and:

http://www.angelfire.com/on3/TrueColoursFarm/images/Bianca2.jpg

And Gwen's email from this morning:

Pictures of Bianca in May her last summer 2009 in the field, the next one of her head in July when I had to get her in as she started to lose weight. Then she got 6 meals senior per day and much love but I could see she got tired. Was laying down often sometimes only got up for her feed. I cannot post them on the COTH but if you want you can, I am still crying. She had a fabulous Trakehner pedigree and was once a very good dressage and jumping mare of the nowadays famous Dorothee Schneider. I got her as broodmare from them when she was 10 years old and retired from competition. She is even in one of the Trakehner books over a huge jump with the young Dorothee Schneider, who is now riding famous Kaiserkult these days.


Here is her pedigree:

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/bianca31

on that picture she is already 26 or 27 years old if I recall well.

I am still asking myself if we are really allowed to take the step to decide when an animal has to die. Punishing myself morally I guess.



For those of you with older horses, how DO you know when the time is right? Do they let you know in definitive ways and do they make the decision for you? Its such a damned hard decision to make - period. I'd hate for anyone to second guess whether they should have allowed them one more month or one more year ...:(

[pintopiaffe]

Thoughts and condolences Gwen... we do understand.

I had my Big Bay Broodmare Extraordinare(TM) the same amount of time.

It is a month later and I still have moments of deep sadness missing her, but it's funny how it's not the same gaping hole kind of tearing that it is when a young horse goes suddenly... it's more like a resigned sorrow, almost always tinged with a smile because she was so good to me, and lived with me longer than any other being on this planet... :sadsmile:

[DownYonder]

Aw, Gwen - you did the right thing. She had a long and wonderful life with you, and went over the bridge knowing she was loved. As someone said, far better for her to pass peacefully than to fall and die cold and in pain. She is kicking up her heels over the bridge, and no doubt thanking you for all you did for her - including the gentle passing.

[camohn]

That has to be hard when you had an animal that long. I have never had a horse that long, but have had some old ones that had to be euthanized in their 20's. You just get to the point that you know they won't make it through another winter, they can't keep weight on and in some cases are obviously in pain with bad arthritis.

[GGStables]

For those of you with older horses, how DO you know when the time is right? Do they let you know in definitive ways and do they make the decision for you? Its such a damned hard decision to make - period. I'd hate for anyone to second guess whether they should have allowed them one more month or one more year ...:(

Donna, plse pass along hugs for Gwen from all here at GreenGate Stables.

My good friend went through the same thing with her gelding and just couldn't go there/bring herself to do it. You know what you know but it's always hard. Her husband was the voice of reason and gave us points to ponder as we wigged out over the decision:

(1) Nature is cruel and older horses in the wild would either die much sooner, or suffer terribly - passing away from starvation and malnutrition being unable to eat and fend for themselves. That is how it is.

(2) Owning domesticated horses puts the responsibility for their wellbeing on us. They have wholly relied on us for everything: Food, warmth, affection, etc. and also to make all the right decisions for them while within the confines of our authority, as it were. So, at the "12th hour" at their weakest, and most vulnerable and miserable, it is especially our responsibility to continue to be gentle and kind, even on how they pass away.

Why only want to be "boss" over the fun stuff, know what I mean?

God's comfort to Gwen and all who have done and will need to do this.:sadsmile:

[SilverBalls]

I am very sorry for your loss.

[Waterwitch]

Godspeed Bianca. Hugs to you, Gwen.

[foxhavenfarm]

Hugs Gwen, so sorry for your loss.

[Dawn J-L]

My deepest sympathies on the passing of such a grand mare. Please take comfort in knowing you honored Bianca by giving her a gentle passage. {hugs} I know that she will dwell in your heart forever.

[Zu Zu]

Gwen - So very sorry for your loss. Rip Bianca - you lovely woman . Thoughts and prayers for everyone who loved her during this most impossible time.

[Zydeco Sport Horses]

Aw, Gwen, we all feel your loss. What a lovely, kind eye Bianca had. I know she has left hoof prints on your soul. May you soon find comfort in your vast memories of her. Hugs.

[Tiki]

Gwen, I'm so sorry for your loss, but think of it this way. She was starting to lose weight. Horses are very stoic and don't like to show pain - they are a prey species, after all. She obviously was beginning to lose ground. Instead of a long and painful starvation or injury and waiting to be found, you were able to give her the dignity of a peaceful death with her best friend present. May the good memories of her live in your heart forever.

[Home Again Farm]

Godspeed Bianca. My sincere condolences to Gwen. Your wonderful mare had a grand and long life with you. You did the right thing in letting her go. Hugs...

[can't re-]

So sorry Gwen.

[Iron Horse Farm]

My sympathies on your loss and your very difficult decision.

[Nootka]

I am so sorry Gwen {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

[KBEquine]

{{{HUGS}}}

Bianca was as lucky to have you as you were to have her.

[3Dogs]

Godspeed great mare:sadsmile:

Gwen - would every horse so lucky to have you as their owner:sadsmile:

[dbts]

You have my condolences, Gwen.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

What a special mare! How lucky you were to have each other. My condolences.

[Quinn]

So terribly sorry Gwen. How lucky for Bianca to have an owner who put her first.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[aurum]

Thank you all. It is as if a huge piece of myself has gone. She was with me for so long and the kindest horse you can imagine. I wish I could have given her another year or more, but had to let her fly to where hooves never touch earth. I am sure angels will now have beautiful rides on her.

A lot of kids learned riding on her and she was a very safe horse, equally winning in dressage and jumping whatever she was doing.

Here is a picture of her which is published in the book "The most famous Trakehners of Germany - Stallions - Mares - Geldings".
http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/3vua-7x-jpg.html (http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/3vua-7x-jpg.html)

On her back the young girl is Dorothee Schneider who now runs Gestuet St. Stephan and who is riding the famous stallion Kaiserkult, winner of the Bundeschampionat.

I got Bianca from them in 1987 when they retired her from competing with Dorothee. She was then 10 years old and started her broodmare career.

[Sonesta]

Gwen, I'm so sorry. Big hugs to you.

[Horsecrazy27]

Donna, plse pass along hugs for Gwen from all here at GreenGate Stables.

My good friend went through the same thing with her gelding and just couldn't go there/bring herself to do it. You know what you know but it's always hard. Her husband was the voice of reason and gave us points to ponder as we wigged out over the decision:

(1) Nature is cruel and older horses in the wild would either die much sooner, or suffer terribly - passing away from starvation and malnutrition being unable to eat and fend for themselves. That is how it is.

(2) Owning domesticated horses puts the responsibility for their wellbeing on us. They have wholly relied on us for everything: Food, warmth, affection, etc. and also to make all the right decisions for them while within the confines of our authority, as it were. So, at the "12th hour" at their weakest, and most vulnerable and miserable, it is especially our responsibility to continue to be gentle and kind, even on how they pass away.

Why only want to be "boss" over the fun stuff, know what I mean?

God's comfort to Gwen and all who have done and will need to do this.:sadsmile:

so sorry to hear Gwen

[kookicat]

I'm so sorry. :(