Do horses know

[Candleliteranch]

As you know, my QH, Diablo crossed the bridge several weeks ago. We have a 30 yr old Appy mare that had been with him for the last 11 years. Diablo passed shortly after we moved over 1/2 the herd to another property. We have just brought them home and now Ember seems to be fading fast. I do realize that she is 30 yrs old and can't live forever, but just in the last 2 days she has nearly stopped eating altogether, barely drinking, and is just so very sad. There are 8 horses together in the pasture, but her and my other mare Haylee, have seperated themselves from the rest and Haylee just stands grazing, while Ember just stands quietly close to her with her head down. She seems to not be in any apparent pain, but the light has gone out of her eyes and she has lost the spring in her step.

I am so sad, I'm crying as I type this. I don't know what to do for her. Shoiuld I put her in a stall? She hates being stalled, or just let her go where she pleases? I just have that dreadful feeling in my heart that she is giving up and her system is shutting down. She seems to be shrinking before my eyes.

 

[littlehorse2]

She might just be mourning the loss of your other horse. Will she eat any treats? Try apples and carrots and maybe spend time with just her.

Christy

 

[chevycouple]

I would definantly let her live where she is "happy" If she hates a stall I wouldn't put her through that. I would also say she is morning. But if it is becoming her time run out there and spent those last moments with her. I know that is the only thing that helped my mom when our old man passed. Good luck and know we are all here for you when you need it.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Spend as much time with her as you can- if she were in a natural state this is exactly how she would choose to die. If she is not going to rally, and she may still change her mind and stay a while longer, you cannot, in all good conscience, let her starve to death- which is what she would do if left alone. hard as it is, you may have to make the decision and let her go after Diablo. At the moment that is what she wants. By all means do everything you can to change her mind, but be prepared for the fact that you may mot be able to.

We have all been through this. We are all here for you. God Bless.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Oh Honey, go talk to her, she'll tell you. If that fails do talk with Bonnie. I can feel your heartbreak, and I'm here if you need a hug...cyberhug that is, wish it could be real.

 

[runamuk]

sounds to me like her companions also know.....spend time with her talk to her tell her goodbye.....and if she and the other horse were close she may just want to join him........I have no other advice and I will be thinking of you......((((((HUGS)))))

 

[Miniv]

My guess is that she is mourning her friend and wants to give up...... At this point, let her be where she wants to be. I would also talk to her. Tell she is loved and that you would like it if she would stay with you a little longer. Gift her with her favorite treats.

Spend a little bit of extra time with her if you can. Groom her if she has liked it in the past.

It's the description you gave about the "light being gone in her eyes"....that concerns me.

Please post again about how things are going.....

MA

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

Oh, Lisa, you know my heart is with you, whatever you decide. Call me if I can be of any help or comfort. {{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}} And, yes, from my experience, I believe they do know.

 

[Danielle_E.]

I also think as others do here that she is "giving up". I guess the passing of her "buddy" is too painful for her and she is in mourning and no longer wants to go on. Personally, if it were my horse, I would be contacting Bonnie.

 

[Marty]

This is just too sad.....

I think she knows and that the others know that something is very wrong with her. I think horses can detect when one is not right.

I'm sending a prayer for you.......

 

[Leihala]

Have you consulted with your Veterinarian? Perhaps, could it be stress from the move? It could be her time, but maybe just to make sure there is nothing else to do for her and your peace of mind, your Veterinarians opinion might be helpful.

 

[DunPainted]

I am so very sorry to hear of your dilemma. If you listen with your heart, she'll let you know if she's sad/mourning or if she's ready to go be with her friend. Horses fear pain more than death, in my experience. Our sweet old donkey, Taco, laid down last October and did not want to get up. He was a feisty character, and knew in my heart that he wanted to "go". I contacted a vet who "guessed" that he could be treated, not understanding that he no longer wanted to eat/drink, etc. She made me feel like dirt, in spite of knowing fully in my heart what Taco wanted. Had to ask her to leave. Next morning, Taco's eyes told me that he didn't want to suffer any longer and to please "help". A wonderful gentleman vet came, asked no questions because he trusted my judgment, and cried with me as Taco died with his head in my lap. Yes, it was sad to say goodbye, but he left this world with dignity which is the way he wanted it.

My heart and prayers go out to you. Like Miniv suggested, spend time with her where she feels most comfortable. Hard as it is to see her in this condition, she needs you at this very difficult time.

 

[RJRMINIS]

Oh how I feel for you, You brought tears to my eyes reading about her.

I also beleive she is mourning, but with her age it could be getting close to her time, let her be where she is happy, but offer her treats, anything she likes that she will eat. I do beleive horses know when their time is near, and with the depression that she is dealing with doesn't help. Just let her know you are there, talk to her tell her you love her, and that you understand.

 

[Hosscrazy]

My gelding Cody (age 7) had lived with his mom (Misty) his entire life, and his whole world came crashing in when I lost Misty a few months ago. It was horrible. I took time off work and stayed with him - kept him company, held him, talked to him, sat with him while he ate... It was a couple days before I was able to bring in a companion and that seemed to make his world a lot brighter. It's so hard, I know. If she is ready to move on, she will let you know. Look into her eyes, into her soul. Trust me, you will know.

Best,

Liz R.

 

[DunPainted]

My gelding Cody (age 7) had lived with his mom (Misty) his entire life, and his whole world came crashing in when I lost Misty a few months ago. It was horrible. I took time off work and stayed with him - kept him company, held him, talked to him, sat with him while he ate... It was a couple days before I was able to bring in a companion and that seemed to make his world a lot brighter. It's so hard, I know. If she is ready to move on, she will let you know. Look into her eyes, into her soul. Trust me, you will know.
Best,

Liz R.

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You sound like "good people" to me, Liz! God bless you for understanding and loving your gelding so much, that you'd take time off work to comfort him. Better yet, these are comforting words of experience to help a forum member at a very difficult, emotionally delicate time. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Miniv]

You know....I am feeling warm all over because of so many posts that say ---

"the eyes" YES! If we would all look at their eyes we would see the world......

MA

 

[Candleliteranch]

Well, Ember began eating again

I'm not sure how long this will last, hopefully she'll keep going. She may have just been upset when we brought all the other horses back home. I think she was enjoying being one of three biggies instead of 1 ini 10. Little does she know that to me she's 1 in a million. We head into each winter wondering if she's got the strength to get through it. So far she's rallied. I know that this won't continue forever though. We're watching her closely. My daughter and I have both talked with her and told her that if she is tired and needs to go "home" it's ok to go.

Just a little background on this grand old gal:

We were looking for a trail riding horse for my daughter as she had outgrown her pony.

My daughter was almost 11 years old at the time. I came across an ad for a 13 yr old mare that needed TLC. She was for sale at a boarding stable because her owner had stopped paying her board and the stable didn't want her. We hitched up the trailer and went to see her. They pulled her out of a stall and I couldn't believe my eyes. She was very thin and her coat was so dull and dry. She had no light in her eyes, just a kind of "let's just get this over with" kinda look.

They told us that she was broke to ride but hadn't been ridden in 8 years. My ex asked if he could try her and they said sure, at your own risk. This mare rode like a top. Went through her paces like a pro. My ex offered a little less than what they were asking because of her poor condition and they said no. So, stubborn hothead that he is, Ember went back to her stall and we came home with an empty trailer and a crying daughter. We went round and round and I talked him into giving them the asking price. There was just something in her that I couuld see through the bad coat and thin body. A kindness and a spirit that had been damaged, but not broken.

We brought her home and had the vet out to check her. Turns out she was nearly 20, not 13. Her previous owner tracked us down and gave us some more info on her including her birthdate. Even after finding out she was older than advertised, we never thought once of taking her back. Ember gave my daughter her heart. Took her on many, many trail rides and brought her back safely every time. Diablo led the way and she followed. If he said it was ok, she never questioned him. We've all been together ever since (except the ex). This old girl had so much spirit and to this day holds a very special place in our hearts. It's going to be such a sad day for us here when she decides to follow Diablo yet again. Makes me wonder if the reason he went first, even though it was so untimely, was to lead the way for her .

I'm so sorry I wrote a book, I didn't mean to. Thank you all for your support and for sharing your experiences. Some of them are heartwrenching and I feel your pain.

This is a picture of Ember taken about 5 years ago. She stole this mini colt and we had a hard time convincing her that he did not belong to her.

 

[nootka]

What a wonderful story that is, and I hope there is at least one more long chapter to go before the end.

I'm glad she is eating again, she sounds like she has a real beautiful soul, and thank you for giving her the chance to show it off.

That's a cute photo....

Liz M.

 

[Bess Kelly]

So glad that she has taken to eating again. I'm praying that she feels she needs to stay with you a while longer. Diablo will meet her, no matter when the time comes.....but, it will be a horribly sad day for you guys when the time comes. Some of these horses don't just touch your heart, they OWN it.

Whenever she decides that it is time, I know that she will leave you with sadness yet loving you always for making her life meaningful and full of love.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Oh Lisa, what a wonderful biography of a very special horse and her loving family. I'm glad you've talked with her and perhaps she senses you need her a bit longer. Diablo will be waiting to lead her over the bridge when it comes time. Heartbroken you will be but her new life will have been so much richer for having found you all.