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Expert
Posts: 1549
  
Location: Southwest Louisiana | Things were perfect Sunday - I rode Dusty for a little while around the field bareback while my daughter rode her gelding. That evening, everyone was fed and things were normal. Monday morning, I looked out of the window like I do every morning, like a habit, to put my eyes on all of the horses. I couldn't see Dusty. Not that unusual, since we have trees they can get into. Another 30 minutes goes by, still don't see him. I put my boots on and head out just because.
I find him laying down, completely covered in mud, and I see the huge area of soft ground where he obviously have been rolling all night long. I yelled at him and ran to him. He got to his feet, walked a few steps towards me, as if to say help me, and then went back down. I called the vet right then and she was here in about 30 minutes. His gums were already white, already showing signs of sepsis, was in tremendous pain. No gut sounds, his heart rate was over 80, and the pain meds did nothing. She gave him 4 rounds over the course of a few hours, tubed him, palpated him, all with no sign of improvement. She said after palpation, she felt signs that he was twisted or really bad off. Surgery was not really an option at this point, and I made the absolutely heartbreaking decision to put him down. I couldn't let him be in the amount of pain he was in anymore.
I've had horses for almost 37 years. I've only lost one, and that was last year, to natural causes at age 32. This is killing me. With the trusted opinion of the vet and all of the signs I could see for myself, I know there really was nothing else we could have done for him. We chose the best solution. But it hurts so bad. I miss him. He was my favorite. He was my mom's horse for the last14 years - she got him as a yearling. The day I got on him for the first time, it felt like I'd ridden him all of my life. We could read each other's minds. He got me over a funk I'd been in for the last several years, not even wanting to go out to the barn. Since the day I got him, I've been out there every single day. Now, I don't even want to look outside. Please tell me this will eventually feel better and not kill my desire to ride. I think the shock and tragic way this happened is why it's so hard.
 (Dusty small.JPG)
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 Dusty small.JPG (30KB - 267 downloads)
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
  
Location: Texas | I'm sorry. That's a heartache you never get over.  |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | I promise you will feel better.I don't know how long it will take,but you will feel better.Im sorry for such a huge loss,and for your broken heart.YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | I feel for you...........it is such a heart wrenching situation to find one in such pain and having to make the decision to send them over the rainbow. This a hard time of the year with all the weather changes. We went through a ROUGH weekend with one of our yearlings and I just thought he would not pull through.
So sorry for your loss........remember the good times you had with him.
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Its a hard thing to have to go threw, been there and its been 10 years now and I still cant look at my mares pictures..
Sorry for your lost.. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I lost my Dan in July. I also had to make the decision to let him go, and I just couldn't stand myself for 2 or 3 days. But with the wisdom of some ladies on here and friends/family, I realized I did the best thing I ever did for him. There are days when I use past tense where he's concerned, and it still doesn't seem real . . . But it IS better now, and the good memories stay closer to the surface. My heart hurts for you, and I'll say a prayer for you and your boy  |
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Location: South Dakota | I am so sorry that you have to go through this sad, sad loss of Dusty. Such a beautiful horse, and partner...my heart hurts for you
Cherish the memories you made together..
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Member
Posts: 29
| So sorry for your loss of Dusty, you did what was best for him. A special horse is hard to lose, but the wonderful memories that you have will ease the pain a little. To this day if I think of Foxy I still tear up and my heart aches. Prayers for you. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I am so sorry |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | So sorry for your loss.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| Prayers for you, so sorry for your loss |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| I'm so sorry.. my heart and comforting prayers go out to you.... it's never easy but you have to know you did the right thing for your boy even though it hurts so bad.. hugs.... and yes, eventually you'll heal and feel better but you'll always have a special place tucked away in your heart for him. I promise, it does get easier. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 545
Location: Texas | I'm so sorry! Breaks my heart for you. There are no words to comfort the loss you're feeling. I think having to put them down is the hardest decision ever, but sometimes it's the best thing for them. He knew you loved him and were doing your best for him. Hugs for you. |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to live through something like this -- but please know there are many of us out here who have felt - or are feeling - the same grief you are feeling. I send big hugs to you. |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12704
| Many many prayers your way. Playing God sucks. It hurts so much to have to make that decision for any of our fur babies!!!! |
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SHOOT IT
Posts: 1170
Location: TEXAS | I'm so sorry. My heart is broken for you. May God comfort you and heal your heart. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | I am so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, nothing ever makes it easier but just a bit of time. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers! |
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 That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| I'm sorry. I've been there, and it ain't fun. |
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 Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2075
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | I am so sorry! He was gorgeous!!! A very special animal.
The sadness and feeling of loss is really tough to bear. Animals are so amazing and a wonderful gift God gave us. I wish, sometimes, with horses...and our other pets - why can't they last our whole lifetime.......but then I realize there are so many more that He has for us. There is another horse waiting for you to love on with everything you have learned from Dusty. Prayers for comfort! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I'm sorry. Prayers. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 776
Location: South Texas | So sorry. Cherish your memories. Hugs and prayers.
Edited by flashflud 2018-11-04 11:48 AM
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 Go Your Own Way
Posts: 4947
Location: SE KS | HUGS - it is not easy - I had to do this Friday ..... it is heartbreaking... cherish your memories. I layed to rest my boy by choice - his stifles were gone, he was over 20 and he hurt and started getting thin.... he is running free now.... this is never easy...
Never!
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 Expert
Posts: 2135
Location: Somewhere else | It's so hard to lose that special one, the 'Once in a Lifetime Horse'. So sorry about your loss, prayer. |
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