Had a very sad thing happen to us whilst riding this morning, We went down I road we always go down, there are loads of fields with horses in down this road. In one there are load of stunning bays, one was lying down, I said to my mare "look at that lucky horse having a laz, and your our riding", when we got a bit closer we noticed the horse was not having a nice laz, but was obviously colicing, and badly, it was looking at its belly, then trying to get up, getting half way up and lying back down then rolling onto its other side, you could see it had been down for a while by the state of the ground under it.
I could not have got off my horses at tied them to the fence to go see if it was ok, as its on a main road, I thought it would be best to try and find who owned it. I rang my o/h who knew a man who had a horse in the field next door, I asked him to ring this man and see if he would find out who the horse belonged to. He rang me back saying that he did not have a number but appartently they owned a bike shop in the next town, so we decided to ride over, when we got there the shop was closed, so we decided to ride back and see if we could find anyone in one of the other fields, when we got back there was a man, with 2 girls in jods, feeding the horses in the next field, I asked him if he knew who owned the horses and told him why, he said he didnt, but the farm were his girls rode, might, he said he would go over and ask.
By this point our horses were tired it was midday and getting hot, we decided to go back, I asked my friend if when we got to the field if she would cool our horses off whilst I got in the car and went to the local riding school to see the lady who owns, it as she knows everyone, anyway, on our way back to the field, we met a lass who has a livery there, and told her what we had seen, she rang the lady at the school, who said she would try and find out whos horse it was and contact the owner.
I managed to calm down at this point, and cooled my horse down, a little later I got a text saying thay the lady had went to the field and there was someone with the horse, I felt so much better.
Later that day I had to go by this field to take my broken mobile to get repaired, I decided on the way home I would pop in and see if it was ok. Sadly when I pulled up, I could see rugs over a heap on the ground were the horse had been There was a man sitting in a jeep, I went over, he was on the phone, I explained to him what I had done, and appoligised for not finding him sooner, he said thanks to me, I said how sorry I was his horse and died, and had to walk away as I was fighting back tears.
If only I had been a bit faster. I hope she did not suffer to long, and at least her owner was with her. I have been so upset all day.
Rest in peace beautiful bay mare.
Sheli
How awful, what a sad end to the mares llife, and how awful for you to have had to go thru this. I love horses and was a regular rider until the end of last year when I discovered that I had osteoporosis. I had to ber sensible about it, but I miss that smel and the whole thing that you get from horses. I have never been in the position to have my own horse but I would have loved to have been. what a sad day.
How sad
I lost my pony to colic many years ago
and it was someone who lived near the field that let me know he was in a bad way. I really appreciated that someone had gone to the trouble to help so I'm sure your actions are very much appreciated.
My heart goes out to the owners. RIP.
Take care xx
"The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one" - Author unknown
poor thing.
you did the very best you could do to find the owner, you should not be feeling guilty at all. well done you for even trying, many people probably would not have.
you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here
Thanks for the kind words, and the chocolates were lovely huskygirl
I did feel guilty at first, but not so much now, for years of being around and owning horses I knew when I saw her she was beyond help, and just needed to be PTS to end her suffering, thats why I knew I needed to find her owner, as the thought of her lying there until they came, which probably would not have been for a few hours as they were probably at work, or she would have died alone, and I know I would not want that for any of my horses or dogs. I would like to think someone would do the same for me if ever any of my horses took ill. I can still see her trying to get up and falling down again, I think it will take a day or two to get over it, I feel for the owners as I had to PTS my shetland mare 2 years ago.
I think it is a good idea to leave "incase of an emergency number" on gates, but I know fine well people would get hoax calls, but I know if this had been the case, this mare might not have suffered for so long. Its something to consider.
oh that's a sad story, but it's always heartening to read about others who are prepared to go the extra mile to help, well done for all of your efforts shelwil, I'm sure than owner appreciates all that you tried to do.
))))
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