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Post by schwung on Nov 28, 2007 18:03:29 GMT -5
Tomorrow evening at 7:30pm, my 19-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Crafty will be put to sleep by Dr. Hannah. Crafty has been battling kidney failure for many years now and I have managed to control it with diet, but I began losing that battle shortly after the SAFE show. As typical for horses that are in kidney failure, the main symptom he has is lack of appetite, and he had gradually been eating less and less. I tried every single type of feed and hay I could within the bounds of his diet limitations. Each time I tried something different it would perk up his appetite for a few days and then he would refuse the new feed also. Several weeks ago he stopped eating any tangible amount of hay and he stopped eating any grain a week ago. A week ago he was maybe 3.5 on the body condition score - now he is about a 2. What has been tough for me was despite his lack of food intake he has remained bright and perky. While he wasn't running around as much as he used to, he would still manage to trot with the other horses. But rather than wait until he is too weak to stand, I made the decision last night that it was time and made the appointment today. I have had Crafty for 15 years and we have been through so much together. I will write more about him after he was gone - his story is a long one and a special one - as he has touched many lives, not just mine. I have known this day was coming for several years now, but I am having a very hard time now that it is scheduled and approaching. Here are some pictures: Being ridden by one of the teenage girls that he taught how to ride, and earned her a high point in a local dressage show: Jumping (he loved to jump): With Allison (shekaberry), and my son, giving rides to kids: On a snowy day: With Allison on a trail ride: And the only photo I could find of me riding him:
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Post by kdunham on Nov 28, 2007 18:08:47 GMT -5
Oh no! I am so sorry schwung. He is a beautiful horse. I am glad he has had you to take care of him the last 15 years and make the right decision for him at the end. It is obvious he had a wonderful life with you and all the kids he worked with.
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Post by safehorses on Nov 28, 2007 18:21:22 GMT -5
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Post by cardicorgi on Nov 28, 2007 19:00:22 GMT -5
So sorry!!!
more ((((hugs)))) to you.
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Buena
SAFE Volunteer
No horse will ever teach you as much as your first horse.
Posts: 1,929
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Post by Buena on Nov 28, 2007 19:58:12 GMT -5
I am so sorry Jaime. My condolences to you and the rest of your family, and Allison, too. I met Crafty at the SAFE show and he was such a nice boy.
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Nov 28, 2007 20:22:31 GMT -5
I will miss him so much. I love how he flaps his lips for treats and his cute pointy ears. I will miss him head-butting me while I pick his paddock. He really is a special horse and I am so happy that I met him and I will never forget him. Thank you, Jaime, for giving him a beautiful life and a peaceful death.
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Post by cat67 on Nov 28, 2007 21:31:48 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear about Crafty, and I know from experience how hard it is to make that call when they still appear to be so happy and bright. He has always had the best of everything with you and it's the sign of a truly loving horse owner that you can put his best interests above your own emotions and make the call now before he goes downhill.
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Post by schwung on Nov 28, 2007 23:29:34 GMT -5
Slam, Crafty, and Vanna were out in the big field today and when I was done with chores and ready to bring everyone in, only Slam came up to the gate. The same thing happened last night - Vanna has bonded to Crafty and sticks by his side, which is weird because she has always been Slam's #1 girl. I brought everyone in and finished feeding and was starting to get really worried that Crafty was down out in the field and Vanna wouldn't leave him. I was just getting ready to get a flashlight and head out there when Crafty came walking briskly up to say hi. I could see Vanna lingering way behind. I finally had to go out to get her, and I quickly realized what the problem was, she was badly limping on one leg. Darnit...looks like an abcess. Here I thought Vanna was protecting Crafty, and it seems it was the other way around!
Vanna's now soaking in epsom salts and refusing her grain with bute in it, and Crafty was actually eating some hay when I left him, although he still refused his grain. I guess its a good thing I have the vet coming tomorrow....*sigh*
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Post by Rose on Nov 29, 2007 0:39:56 GMT -5
How sad to have to say good-bye to such a lovely horse. My heart goes out to you Jamie.
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Post by leahlady on Nov 29, 2007 1:58:30 GMT -5
Oh Jamie, I am so, so sorry. This is such sad news. You are a wonderful mother for letting him go when he still feels alright. It would be selfish to let him get any weaker, or any more uncomfortable. I can't even begin to imagine how you must feel, I am soo soo sorry.
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Post by huskiesnhorses on Nov 29, 2007 9:12:06 GMT -5
Redmond sends hugs...
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bsnlark
Junior BB Member
SAFE Adopter
SAFE's Larkspur and Ishmeal n Buckwheat, too
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Post by bsnlark on Nov 29, 2007 11:21:52 GMT -5
Heavy saddness w/ a bright light ahead. Huggs to all from the girls n boys n ME , too
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Post by schwung on Nov 29, 2007 11:40:59 GMT -5
So this morning he had managed to eat about half a flake of hay last night (no grain though) and was bright and chipper and even pinning his ears at Tara and chasing her a bit, causing me to have second thoughts. Mike says if I postpone it I am just postponing the inevitable...but I said he is going to die someday too but I am not putting him down any time soon. I had really hoped he would give me a sign or be just a bit weaker this morning so I could feel confident that he is ready to go.
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Post by cat67 on Nov 29, 2007 11:55:27 GMT -5
*laughsnortlaugh* But if he keeps talking, it could be sooner than later...
I will say that with these TB's, you could be waiting forever for that sign...the last thing Raquita ever did was see her friends run up behind her and scream and start dancing (despite the leg she could only drag) and of course I wanted to just turn her back out with her friends and had to tell myself no. It's the Thoroughbred spirit...they just never quit.
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Post by jaybird on Nov 29, 2007 12:00:54 GMT -5
J, he isn't making a recovery. He's just having a good day. He has a lot to do today before he can go, and settling things with Tara is just a part of that. Maybe he ate last night so he's have the strength to enjoy his last day and be ready for the journey ahead of him. Maybe he is happy that you are so kindly and lovingly letting him go. When he gets there, he will be able to eat whatever he likes and he will be hungry and everything will taste really good. He'll be fat and energetic and able to jump all kind of things. Try to see that he is telling you that it is okay to say goodbye.
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