SABLE
January 22, 2024
Her name was Sable. For 3 days, her name was Sable. For 3 days she wore her warm winter blanket, she drank warm water. For 3 days she had a full tummy. How long had it been before she came that her belly had been full? How long had she shivered in the cold nights, trying to pick up small pieces of hay that had been given to the herd she lived in. There may have been some hay, but the people never took the time to notice she couldn’t eat it. For 20 years, this little girl lived with the same family. Shouldn’t they have noticed her small little body was fading away?
“She is just really old” Nelly is really old too but her round little body is healthy and warm
“We give them hay” Marley has hay available too but she cant eat it – it is useless to her – its like giving someone a can of soup with no can opener – so we give her food she can eat.
“We love her so much” How can you justify looking at a horse that you love fade away to skin stretched over bones and not try to find out why? Not try to help them?
On Thursday of last week we took in 2 ponies from a dealer. They, along with several others, had been sold due to financial reasons – some of these horses had been with this family for 20 years. Some had been born into the herd – yup, mares and a stud running all together with no thought of consequences. Irresponsible breeding, irresponsible horse owners = I am sorry they are in financial trouble but there is no excuse for not taking care of the animals you have. Im not convinced it was all financial – why would someone continue to allow breeding in their herd of they could not feed or give medical attention to the horses they already have. This is a classic example of ignorance.
Saturday morning it was cold. I pulled on gloves and coat and went to feed the horses breakfast. When I looked out the back window at the two new comers, I only saw one. Then I saw a bright blue blanket laying on the ground. My heart sunk. When I ran to her, Sable nickered – that sound will haunt me for a long time. She thought I was coming to help her. I called the vet – and I called everyone I could for help. And it came. Lots of help. We were able to get her up with the help of some very strong backs and a tractor but Sable was just too weak. She was slurping the warm watery mash we were giving her to try to warm her up and give her strength - She was so hungry (she had been since she came) but her shriveled little belly and cold body couldn’t take in enough to turn the downward slide of her dying body. She was too weak and she couldn’t stand on her own – The straps that were under her belly were only helping – The arms wrapped around her were what was holding her up. We let her lay back down – maybe to rest? Maybe until the vet arrived and could help her more? Maybe to say good bye? Cat, our amazing vet, arrived but she knew when she saw her that her body was too depleted to survive the cold nights ahead. Even if we could get her up again, she wasn’t going to stay up.
Wrapped in an electric blanket with warm mash covering her tiny little muzzle, we let Sable go.
Thank you to everyone that came that day, thank you to everyone that texted asking how they could help. Thank you to Mary and Erin, to my husband and son, thank you to our amazing neighbors that never questioned whether they should come – Christie and Dana, Heather and Randy, Brad, Sara, and everyone that sent their thoughts our way that morning. Thank you to Cat, part of our team that never lets us down. I wish this could have been a happier ending but sometimes, as hard as we try, its too late.
If you are wondering about the other pony – Boomer – is doing well. He is younger and stronger and in much better condition although he is very lonely now. Having recently (like a few days ago) lost his manly jewels – his testosterone will continue to flow for a long time and he will need to stay well away from the mares and Tommy. It is a lonely paddock out back but there is no end to horses that need help – even in our own back yards there are so many that are tucked away behind houses that have no shelter, have not water, no food. Today Boomer will get a friend. I will give you all an update on these 2 boys as soon as I can but today – remember Sable with her little burdocky mane flowing behind her as she gallops in green grass – her tummy is full and she is warm.
Her name was Sable. For 3 days, her name was Sable. For 3 days she wore her warm winter blanket, she drank warm water. For 3 days she had a full tummy. How long had it been before she came that her belly had been full? How long had she shivered in the cold nights, trying to pick up small pieces of hay that had been given to the herd she lived in. There may have been some hay, but the people never took the time to notice she couldn’t eat it. For 20 years, this little girl lived with the same family. Shouldn’t they have noticed her small little body was fading away?
“She is just really old” Nelly is really old too but her round little body is healthy and warm
“We give them hay” Marley has hay available too but she cant eat it – it is useless to her – its like giving someone a can of soup with no can opener – so we give her food she can eat.
“We love her so much” How can you justify looking at a horse that you love fade away to skin stretched over bones and not try to find out why? Not try to help them?
On Thursday of last week we took in 2 ponies from a dealer. They, along with several others, had been sold due to financial reasons – some of these horses had been with this family for 20 years. Some had been born into the herd – yup, mares and a stud running all together with no thought of consequences. Irresponsible breeding, irresponsible horse owners = I am sorry they are in financial trouble but there is no excuse for not taking care of the animals you have. Im not convinced it was all financial – why would someone continue to allow breeding in their herd of they could not feed or give medical attention to the horses they already have. This is a classic example of ignorance.
Saturday morning it was cold. I pulled on gloves and coat and went to feed the horses breakfast. When I looked out the back window at the two new comers, I only saw one. Then I saw a bright blue blanket laying on the ground. My heart sunk. When I ran to her, Sable nickered – that sound will haunt me for a long time. She thought I was coming to help her. I called the vet – and I called everyone I could for help. And it came. Lots of help. We were able to get her up with the help of some very strong backs and a tractor but Sable was just too weak. She was slurping the warm watery mash we were giving her to try to warm her up and give her strength - She was so hungry (she had been since she came) but her shriveled little belly and cold body couldn’t take in enough to turn the downward slide of her dying body. She was too weak and she couldn’t stand on her own – The straps that were under her belly were only helping – The arms wrapped around her were what was holding her up. We let her lay back down – maybe to rest? Maybe until the vet arrived and could help her more? Maybe to say good bye? Cat, our amazing vet, arrived but she knew when she saw her that her body was too depleted to survive the cold nights ahead. Even if we could get her up again, she wasn’t going to stay up.
Wrapped in an electric blanket with warm mash covering her tiny little muzzle, we let Sable go.
Thank you to everyone that came that day, thank you to everyone that texted asking how they could help. Thank you to Mary and Erin, to my husband and son, thank you to our amazing neighbors that never questioned whether they should come – Christie and Dana, Heather and Randy, Brad, Sara, and everyone that sent their thoughts our way that morning. Thank you to Cat, part of our team that never lets us down. I wish this could have been a happier ending but sometimes, as hard as we try, its too late.
If you are wondering about the other pony – Boomer – is doing well. He is younger and stronger and in much better condition although he is very lonely now. Having recently (like a few days ago) lost his manly jewels – his testosterone will continue to flow for a long time and he will need to stay well away from the mares and Tommy. It is a lonely paddock out back but there is no end to horses that need help – even in our own back yards there are so many that are tucked away behind houses that have no shelter, have not water, no food. Today Boomer will get a friend. I will give you all an update on these 2 boys as soon as I can but today – remember Sable with her little burdocky mane flowing behind her as she gallops in green grass – her tummy is full and she is warm.