First, Hobbs & I appreciate the well wishes. I started him on some bute and then he didn't finish his breakfast yesterday. I updated my friend K (and owner of farm I train with and also whom I purchased Hobbs from) and she told me she felt he didn't have a good quality of life and it was probably time to put him down..... I felt like I got punched in the chest. I lost my breathe, I got really sad, and then angry. Really angry. I have rearranged my barn so he can come and go out of his stall all day. He has access to grass 22 hours a day (only exception is the 2 hours I lock him in his stall when I work the other horses). He wakes me up every morning because he screams for his breakfast. He wakes me up in the middle of the night as he gallops by my bedroom window. I can't get grass to grow in 2 areas of my yard because he rolls there and has created a dirt pit. Horses who are ready for the end of life or who have a poor quality of life don't behave this way. He has been in pain for 4 days due to an abscess. I don't think an abscess is a reason to put a horse down. I don't think he likes the peppermint flavored bute so he is not finishing his meals. I had to chase him away from eating the chicken's feed twice this morning. No, I just can't wrap my head around the thought of putting a horse down who still has a spark in his eye. Maybe I will feel different in a week, a month, or a year but right now doesn't feel right. Of course I couldn't sleep at all last night because I was second guessing myself. Maybe I am blind? Maybe I am too emotional? Wasn't it Seabiscuit's owner who said "you don't throw away a life because it's a little banged up?"
Hobbs 2001...
Hobbs 2005ish...
Hobbs 2013...
Hobbs now...
That would really upset me, and also make me really angry. It's like when people tell me I am doing wrong by Simon, but 100x worse. Maybe 1000x times. Trust your gut. You know your horse. You obviously love him and are doing everything you can to provide him a quality retirement!
ReplyDeleteYes and hopefully I can also see when it's time to let him go :(
Deletei'm sorry your friend said that to you - it sounds like an almost careless remark. you seem to have a pretty good sense of his current well-being (and his lifestyle is certainly enviable!!), so go with your instincts.
ReplyDeleteHer intentions are good but a little early for that conversation
DeleteWow, that is so hard. Horses make it very easy to second-guess yourself... but I do believe that those of us who love horses [and really, if you don't love them you aren't around them!] do KNOW them.
ReplyDeleteYou know Hobbs, and you'll know when it's time. :)
You know when its time to let them go, I don't think you would be blind to it. It sounds like he has a very high quality of life and I agree you've obviously made changes to make his life better, you can take care of him so you are. Everything you listed seems to be a reasonable explanation.
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