Annie was down again this morning :(

She's cut her face and is in shock. We managed to get her up, but she's hardly moving and not eating.

We have decided to have her PTS this week...probably tomorrow, providing we can arrange for her body to be moved.

Am very upset. I've managed to get a rug on her, and now I'm going to give her some Bute, and she's let me wash the blood off her face, but I know I have to do it as she has no quality of life. I'm so tempted to not make the decision, but I know I have to. Her owner is away for 2 weeks and has signed her over to me to give consent, and the vet is ready to come once the arrangements have been made.

She seemed so much better this last week - but I cannot see her struggle through even colder weather :( am gutted.

Chloe
really feel for you Ive been in the same situation. Big Hugs, You have to do whats best though it is always hard. X Be thinking of you.
Diane

So sorry Chloe.

Kath xx

What an awful desicion for you to have to make Chloe :(
Thinking of you:(

liberty

Thinking of you. You will make the best desicion for the pony and it cannot be easy for you.

Jean x

Thinking of you Chloe - the quality of life is so very important - I think you're making the right decision {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}

That's horrible for you, Chloe. But you know you're doing the right thing. Have courage.

(((((((((((((((( chloe ))))))))))))))))).:( :( .

Chloe what an awful decision to have to make - I feel for you on this one. Without meaning to come accross as insensative but have you thought about how they will do it. I know a few people who opted for the injection however that was awful as the horses fought it and didn't want to go down as it is obviously not natural for them to go down in front of people. My friend is going through the same with her elderly pony and she has arranged for it to be shot then injected afterwards therby preventing her from going into the meat chain. Some people don't object to hroses going into the meat chain however if the owner does then that is something you may have to consider.

I'm so sorry Chloe
{{{hugs}}}
Margot

Chloe its the hardest thing to do, but you are doing the right thing I feel so sad for you, I have two retired horses and dread the day please take care of yourself. We will all be thinking of you.

Chris xxx

Hi Lisa

I had planned on having the vet - they only do the injection - they told me I would need the Hunt Kennels if she was to be shot? I don't think I can cope with that, I know my vets, I don't know anyone from there :( She's very weak, barely standing...but she still has a bit of spirit when Josh goes too close. Her lifelong friend was trying to lick her face earlier and she warned her off - but that would have been a full blown flying buck a few months ago :( She's still not eating, I can't get any bute down her at all...she's just stood with her head drooping in the field. We are arranging for her to go in the other paddock, with the field shelter, on the flat tonight (fencing off the hilly bit), so at least I knwo she will be safe tonight.

I've been coping OK so far, dealing with it practically, I even went and got her a new rug to keep me busy - even if its only going to be on her for a night...but now I'm in bits writing this. It seems so difficult to organise, I just don't know what to do :( Her "owner" is leaving it up to me....he doesn't care what happens "once she's gone" :(

I want the end to be painless and dignified....ideally cremated - what do I do?

Oh Chloe. :( :( Poor you. If it's any help, when my neighbour's lovely old mare was put down by injection, she dropped like a stone. It was very quick.

I don't think she'll fight it, but I guess she might... thats if she makes it through tonight. She's warm now, but clearly still in a lot of shock :( She just has no life now. The others are younger and fitter and she can't keep up. She's never been restricted, stabled, rugged... how can you start doing that to a 27 year old pony? I can tell how bad she must be to have a rug on in the first place :(

Dear Chloe I am sorry to her about Annie. You will do your best by her. I am so sorry for you.

Take care Gina xxx

So sorry to hear your troubles Chloe. You are doing the best thing for Annie. Will be thinking of you. :-(

Chloe you are doing the best thing for her and from the sound of it, its what Annie wants too, so she can go in peace attended by loving familiar faces. I admire your courage facing up to what must be done. Love to all.

I'm really sorry Chloe. :( They are so tough these little ponies, that when they go downhill it can be a very rapid decline. At least you can spend some time with her, and make her last moments as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Take care. X

Jo

Thank you all for your comments. Its all been arranged for tomorrow, the vet, and my friend who runs the local pet crem will be with me and will take her there and then. I will get her ashes to scatter. I feel like a sentimental old fool, but I feel its the best thing I can do for her. She's served her humans well, even when they didn't appreciate it.

Oh Chloe, I'm so sorry for you and your old pony, will be thinking of you tomorrow. Give her a hug from me :(

liberty

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow..

Sorry.

Oh Chloe, I'm in tears thinking about it. My thoughts will be with you.

~ Sharon :(

Chloe
it sounds like you have it all organised. Fortunately my friends has the same vet as me and he will do both so is going to have both.

There is nothing I can say that will make it easier however she sounds like has got no fight left in her so you must take over for her now. If you think the previous owners would be interested or maybe even for you cut a piece off her tail to give them.

I have mailed you.

Thats a lovely idea Lisa - thank you. The email was very poignant too - many many tears flowing this evening :(

I'm dreading tomorrow - I feel I have a massive weight on my shoulders, but I know I am doing the right thing for her.

Chloe

You know in your heart you are doing the right thing. She will be at peace and have no suffering.

As you know we are close to the same thing here, so I am feeling for you right now.

If we believe there is a Rainbow Bridge for the dogs, there has to be something similar for the horses.

xxxx

Jayne

Hi Jayne

I can't believe how fast they can deteriorate - it appears she slipped down the hill and thats how she's cut her face :( I TOLD the owner she needed to be restricted to flat grazing, but the vet didn't back me up (this was the last time she went down). I'm feeling very guilty now for not doing what I should have. She is terribly arthritic. I thought she was perking up with the extra food, bute, cortaflex etc...but this has totally knocked the wind out of her. I just need to get it over with now.

Thanks for your messages, all of you, they mean a lot right now.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow Chloe.
Thank god she has you to care for her and do what's best for her, when her owners can't be bothered.
Liz

Dear Chloe,
I am so sorry to read that Annie is very poorly.
You have done everything humanly possible that you could have done for Annie.

You give her a big kiss and I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow.
She always be in your heart, thoughts and memories and no-one can take that away
from you.
You are her guardian angel and I'm sure she knows it too.

{{{{{{{{{{{{Massive Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}
Kirstine

Thanks all

She's perked up a bit tonight - and Jon is out in the field with her, and she's eating... she has her friends with her and she's moved for the first time in about 6 hours. I am going to have the vet tomorrow and make a final decision then - I will do whats right for her.

Hi Chloe,

I'm so sorry to hear about Annie.

You'll both be in my thoughts tomorrow. Give her a big kiss for me and big (((HUGS))) to you.
You are doing the right thing, and I know you know that too.

We're all here for you

Love ya

Lisa xx

Its such a horrible decision to have to make.
The pony i used to ride was put down a month ago she was permanaently lame owing to cushings disease and repeated laminitis. It was ever so sad, but it helpedknowing that she was not suffering any more, even though i still miss her, especially when i walk the dogs where i used to ride.
Lots of hugs,
Lucy

chloe...not sure which part of the world you you are in but the hunts are usually really good....I have been out & helped our KH'man many manytimes when a horse needed doing, and they are sympathetic and kind, and its definitely a lot quicker & a hell of a lot less stressful than the injection.

I'm in Stafford. The vet gave me the names of the hunt kennels today, but I really don't know how any of it works to be honest - hence I am leaning toward the vet because its the only thing I know and I know they will be sympathetic when I am a dribbling mess. If I could have got someone out this morning it would have been over with by now, but she seems to have perked up a tiny bit and is warm and has eaten some apples. But, for how much longer is she going to cope with this level of arthritis...its not even that cold yet :( I just can't stop my mind taking the easy route and wanting to giver her more time :( :( :(

Poor Annie . . . and what a horrible decision for you to have to make. (((((hugs))))) :-(
Bonnie

Awww Chloe, my heart goes out to you, it really does :( It's obvious to all how much you love your animals, even those you care for, for other people.
Wish I could say something to make you feel better.......
But you have done all you can for the poor girl, and afterwards you will feel pleased within yourself that you have done the best for her. You couldn't let her suffer on in the coming winter months.
Don't have the time much to get onto CD's these days but I was just wondering the other day how Annie was getting on.....and I pop on this morning, and see your message. :(
So sorry for your Chloe......thinking of you.....<<<<hugs>>>

Well, she hasn't moved much at all during the night, every step is clearly very painful for her. I've managed to get her to eat about a quarter of what she nearly has.

None of us slept last night - Jon, bless him, was out checking her in the middle of the night and again at 6 this morning - both of us were in the field trying to get apples down her at midnight. We are all worried sick she will go down and suffer again :(

The vet is coming today, probably just after lunch. Then I can make the decision. She still has a spark, but its nearly out, and I think it would be better to do it now than find her down again, suffering :( But I am still not 100% sure :( I wish I was, it would be easier.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

I am sure you will do the best for her and will be thinking about you all today.

It must be so heart breaking for you.

Take Care

Lucy
xx

You poor thing Chloe :-( It's a horrible decision you have got to make but we will all be thinking of you.
Rachel x

thinking of you chloe,
xx

thinking of you xxx

Aaaawwww Chloe, what a heavy thing to have to deal with :( At least she's safe and sound with you guys, you are obviously a big animal lover and have a lot of respect for them.....animals pick this up, and so Annie's a lucky girl being near you ;)

She's gone :( *tears*

Her eye was much much worse than we thought, and would probably have needed removing, which they wouldn't have done at her age anyway. The vet was only 30% sure they could help relive the arthritis (short-term only), and optimistic at that. He couldn't believe just how bad her legs had gone in such a short space of time.

We talked it through and came to the agreement that it was the right thing to do. Annie had given up, she wasn't eating, hardly moving.

I was with her at the end. I stroked her nose and I told her how much I loved her. She went so fast. She's gone to be cremated now and I will keep her here until its time to scatter her ashes on her favourite hill in her favourite field. I feel so guilty, but I know it was the right thing. She's in a better place now. I can't stop crying though and every time I go in the kitchen and see her rugs.... :( :( :(

Sleep well Annie. I am already missing you so much x x x

:( :( oh Chloe I'm so sorry

Oh Chloe, you were in a no win situation. You know you have done the right thing for her, you should only feel guilty if you let her suffer.

Remember the pain is yours, not hers and that is how it should be.

Thinking of you.
Sandra

:( Don't feel guilty, you know you did all you could.

Feel very sad for you.......Take care.

Sarah

Don't feel guilty - it was clearly the only humane thing to do. Be proud you had the courage and sense to do it. Just imagine her now, a young horse, galloping across the field with her mane and tail flowing. That's the real Annie.

Chloe, so sorry to hear you bad news, you did the right thing and you made her last few months comfortable.
Thinking of you. {{{hugs}}}
Karen XXXX

Oh Chloe I do feel for you. But I am sure she is sleeping soundly and painlessly because you cared so much for her.

Take Care

Gina xxxx

Yes Chloe there is such a thing

The Rainbow Bridge
For Horses

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
when their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
is a place where beloved creatures find rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
til The Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
for here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed.
Their bodies have healed with strength imbued.

They trot through the grass without even a care,
til one day they whinny and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes sharp and alert.
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the herd.

For just at that second, there's no room for remorse.
As they see each other...one person...one horse.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart
has turned to joy once more in each heart.
They nuzzle with a love that will last forever.
And then, side-by-side, they cross over...together.

Author unknown.