My horse is dying

[MindieRose]

Brandy is actually my mom's horse, but he has lived with us for years now. She inherited him from her old friend that tragically died in a tractor accident. Brandy has been the best horse I have ever had. I grew up in a horse farm, so that says a lot. He is like a person, he tells you if he is hurt, and will even show you. He understands almost everything, even how you are feeling. He has always been super gentle, I let my babies sit on him even. He knows if there is a little kid on his back, and will walk super slow and gentle, almost too slow, lol.
A few months back, he colicked. I thought he was gone. He was laying down, his gums and tongue were white, and his teeth were showing and his tongue was out. I prayed for him, and prayed for him, and kept yelling at him to get up. He picked his head up and looked around, stood up, and was fine after that. About a month later though, he started dropping weight terribly. We got him a super weight gainer, and he is just all bones. Yesterday and today all he does is lay down. He is dying. Sometimes I think I shouldn't have prayed him out of it before, because now it is freezing out, and he is suffering. I hate putting animals to sleep. After working in a vets office, and seeing how often they do it for no good reason, I really hated it. But he is so cold, and we cannot keep him warm. We have a blanket on him, but he is so thin now. He keeps trying to hang on, but he is so tired.
I just want him back how he was a few years ago. I have never had a horse I trusted so much.
I hate this. I hate this so much.

[mkawczak]

Hon, If he's suffering,it's best to let him go. I know it's devastating for you,and I 'm sure if there was anyway he could turn around he would've,but it's quality not quantity. You have wonderful memories of your time with him. He was blessed to have had you rescue him and give him a new forever home,even though the forever was'nt long enough. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Hugs and kisses to you and your mom.

[bchgirl]

I'm very sorry.

Sometimes the kindest decision is also the hardest.

[MyLadies]

I'm so sorry ....

[yorkie mom-3]

I"m so so sorry! I truly feel your pain. I have horses in my life since I was a small child. And yes over the years I have had to let them go. If your Brandy is an old man then maybe it is his time. I had to put to sleep my daughters mare a few years back because of old age. She became a hard keeper and teeth were worn. She would get down but couldn't get back up on her own. As hard as it is for us humans, animals do tell us when it's time. Look into the eyes of your old friend and he will tell you. My prayers are with you.

[MindieRose]

Thank you so much to everyone. I knew that you all would understand. Some people just don't get it. Yesterday when he got really bad, we were having my son and daughters birthday party. Someone joked that when he is dead we should put him up by the garbage can and see if the garbage man would take him since we didn't know at the time what we were going to do with him I was so upset. How insensitive.
This is such a hard time right now. I just went out there and put another blanket on him and a tarp on top of that to try to keep some heat in. The vet is on his way out . I went out there and he has blood coming out of his mouth now. We just put his blanket on him yesterday, but could not get a good look all over him as he couldn't get up. When I was just out there I noticed blood on different spots of his blanket, I lifted it up and there are sores all over. I think he was shot. We have hunters all over behind and on the side of our property He was on his other side yesterday, so we didn't see that. I know he has been ill for some time, but these neighbors have caused problems with us already, and if they shot him, I will be raising you-know-what.
I hate that he is suffering. I know he wont be in any pain when he is gone, but it is so, so hard to think of not having him anymore.

[furby2000]

My heart goes out to you during this painful time. Let us know what the vet said. I have to agree with the other poster, sometimes the kindest decisions are the hardest. Your love for him will tell you what to do... sending you ((hugs))

[MindieRose]

Thank you so much to everyone. The vet came out, and she said that definitely he needed to be put down. She was very very sweet about it and made us feel very comfortable about it. She said that she didn't think he was shot, although only an autopsy would confirm that. She thinks that he had a seizure overnight and had injured himself and bit his tongue. I was very upset when he first was gone, but now I feel some relief knowing that he is not going to be out there freezing to death and suffering. The place that is coming to pick him up cannot be here until tomorrow, and since he couldn't get up, he is still with the other 2 horses. The vet said she was so happy that we had a tarp to cover him because some people dont cover them and it really upsets the other horses. So far Tucker seems the most affected. He keeps going over to Brandy and nudging him. It's so sad.
I don't know that I will ever find another horse like Brandy. He was definitely one in a million. Then again, I don't know if I would want to. It hurts too much to see them die.

[TresCutePiggies]

I'm so sorry to hear about Brandy. He sounds like he was a wonderful companion to you for many years. I hope all the wonderful memories can help you through this difficult time. I know it was a hard decision but at least now you know he isn't suffering.

[C101Yorkie]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I know it must've been tough, but it was the right thing to do... I hope your memories will long outlive the pain. Sending thoughts and prayers.

[Yorkieluv]

My heart is aching right now...I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved horse. It sounds like he was absolutely wonderful and extremely loved.

[cobird2]

I am so sorry to hear about your horse. I used to have horses and it's so very hard to make the decision to put them down. They are gentle, beautiful, and amazing creatures and become very attached to their people.
I'm sure he's warm and grazing on some really good hay right now.

[zoeybear]

So sorry for your loss. It is hard to see the ones we love growing old and weak. Im glad you were strong enough to make such a hard decision. Hugs from Zoeybear and Baby Chloe. Hope you find peace soon.

[PANAMA69]

So sorry for the loss of your horse