France in Focus

This time yesterday I had two horses; Misha 37 and Jakie 28. Today I only have Misha.

At 10pm yesterday, having been well all day, Jakie was very suddenly looking extremely distressed and unsteady. The vet came out, by which time Jakie was cast with all four legs stuck through a wooden post and rail fence. After he was pulled free the vet was quick to perform an examination. The diagnosis was dire, twisted gut colic, extremely painful and often fatal in old horses. There is only one treatment, surgery. Out of the question for Jakie at his age and the recovery period lasts 6 months needing specialist nursing and facilities.

Knowing there was only one other solution, euthanasia, I asked to vet to perform that without delay. I certainly didn't want Jakie to suffer for another second.

So just one day later I only have one horse and the equarrisseur has already taken Jakie away. He's been part of my life for 21 years.

So sorry for your loss @Veem

I'm really sorry to hear that, Veem. Losing a dog is bad enough, but when you've had a horse for so many years, he's part of you. It must have been a horrible shock. There's something about losing a horse, such a noble animal, that you just can't describe.
I would have done exactly what you did. Surgery on an elderly animal is not doing them a favour, whether it's bits that don't work any more, bits that are worn out, or the dreaded twisted gut. You'd have thought evolution could have sorted that out by now ....

I imagine Misha will miss him too, I hope he'll be okay.
Toutes mes condoléances, and big hugs ....

Oh Veem I am so sorry. I know you are heartbroken. And Misha will be so lonely also.

It is so very hard to part with our precious, loved four legged family members. I hope you will keep close all the good memories of Jakie to help you get through the days and weeks ahead.

I'll be thinking of you.

So sorry to read this

Toutes mes condoléances aussi.
Bon courage.

So sorry to hear that news, Veem.

You looked after Jackie until the end. I owned my horse for 28 years and when he finally reached the end the decision was difficult but obvious. I often think of mine and I am sure you will think of all the happy days you had together.

So this is day 3 of life without Jakie. Misha saw what went on on Wednesday night and the vet and I agreed that he almost certainly knew that Jakie was dead. He was lying in a fairly large fenced circle we have always called 'Misha's dining room'. We left the paddock gate to that open all night so Misha had access if he wanted to visit Jakie. The next morning, he ate his breakfast next to Jakie and I only heard 2 brief hollers over the next 24 hours. He's showing no signs of distress and getting on with his life as though nothing has happened. He's always been a very independent horse and in this situation I'm so grateful that he is.

Many thanks for your kind comments.

Fixit and I are so sorry for your tragic loss