Casi's time has come

[Linda Y]

I am calling the vet and the guy with the backhoe next week. Her worst hoof is basically crumbling due to her founder and all the wet weather we have been having.
She is dead lame right now. It is time.
:mecry:

[Cindy]

Very Sorry, Linda. May God give you strength.

[LynnG]

So sorry Linda.

[CarolU]

I'm so sorry Linda. I was looking at the same decision last year with Bien, but managed to save her. It's been a long year.

It is the hardest thing you'll ever do, but it is the right thing. My heart goes out to you. (((HUGS)))

[paintedhorizon]

Hugs gal

[Pam M]

It's a terribly hard thing to go through, even when you know it's the right decision. I'll be thinking about you.

[SandyMM]

It's the least we can do for our animals when they can no longer sustain a quality of life. A terrible decision to have to make - from experience - but a comfort to know you have not let one suffer for selfish human's needs....

Good luck and a peaceful passing for Casi...

[Linda Y]

Thank you all.
I was sent this earlier today. It helped in my decision. Casi has had the same owner (me) her entire 20 years. How many people would keep a horse that serves no useful purpose, either to ride or to breed, for that long?

Following is an excellent quote from Jane Smiley"s book " A Year at the Races"

Most horses pass from one human to another - some horsemen and women are patient and forgiving, others are rigourous and demanding, others are cruel, others are ignorant. Horses have to learn how to, at the minimum, walk, trot, canter, gallop, go on trails and maybe jump, to be treated by the vet, with sense and good manners. Talented Thoroughbreds must learn how to win races, and if they can't do that, they must learn how to negotiate courses and jump over strange obstables without touching them, or do complicated dancelike movements or control cattle or accommodate severely handicapped children and adults in therapy stables.

Many horses learn all of these things in the course of a single lifetime. Besides this, they learn to understand and fit into the successive social systems of other horses they meet along the way. A horses's life is rather like twenty years in foster care, in and out of prison, while at the same time changing schools over and over and discovering that not only do the other students already have their own social groups, but that what you learned at the old school hasn't much application at the new one.

We do not require as much of any other species, including humans. That horses frequently excel, that they exceed the expectations of their owners and trainers in such circumstances, is as much a testament to their intelligence and adaptability as to their relationship skills or their natural generosity or their inborn nature.

That they sometimes manifest the same symptoms as Romanian orphans - distress,strange behaviors, anger, fear - is less surprising than that they usually don't.

No one expects a child, or even a dog to develop its intellectual capacities living in a box 23 hours a day and then doing controlled exercises the remaining one. Mammal minds develop through social interaction and stimulation. A horse that seems stupid might just have not gotten the chance to learn!

Take care of your horses in 2010

[Mary Berg]

Linda - my heart goes out to you. It's wonderful that you kept Casi so long, and I am sure that you and she shared a lot of wonderful times (along with the hard times). It's great to see such commitment to one of 4 legged friends.

[Terri]

Oh Linda, I am soooo sorry. Knowing it is the right decision doesn't make it easier. :mecry:

[pasorider]

So sorry to hear but sometimes the best thing we can do for our loved ones is to let them go. Hugs to you and to Casi

[Pam M]

Linda, I love that quote you posted. Sometimes people ask me why I don't put Pia in a fence - "aren't you worried she'll run away?", "shouldn't horses be locked up?", "what if she gets hit by a car?", etc. - you just gave me a reason to not doubt what I know. Which is that each horse, like each child, has different needs. If you come from a family with more than 2 kids, your parents probably didn't treat you all exactly the same.

Thank you for that. I hope it comforts you to know that you did your best and some - many - most people wouldn't have done as much for Casi.

[pnalley]

Linda,
I am so sorry for you. But Casi is blessed to have an owner that lasted her whole life (many of mine are in the same situation).

I hope you have a good network of horse friends that can help support you through this.

[Marleen Robinson]

Linda, I am so sorry. I know exactely what you are going thru. I had to make that decision only three weeks ago... Margarita was my first horse, and she has been with me for 17 years. She was about to turn 27. Knowing you're doing the right thing, does not make it easier, but somehow, it gave me a feeling of peace, when she laid there, quietly.
It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I miss her terribly, she left a big hole in my heart, but knowing she is no longer lame, does give a little comfort. I am trying to remember all the good tmes we had, and there where many. As they say, time heals... well, we'll see.

Hugs to you and Casi.
PM me if you would like to talk...

[Linda Y]

Thank you Marleen. I have so many holes in my heart, it must look like swiss cheese. And yes, knowing that Casi won't be lame any more is what is giving me the strength not to be selfish. She is such a GOOD girl. Never a problem, never a wrong thing has she done. She is always happy to see me even though I know it is because I am the food person. She has only lived in 2 places her entire life, both with me. When her sire died, she was never able to attach herself to another horse. But they attached to her. Bueno, who just recently lost his friend Tario, loves her. He will grieve for another friend now. Cita, who learned to be stoic and strong with her own founder, will miss her quiet presence.

[lalecl]

Linda, words fail me. I do not have the eloquence of many on here. So i just want you to know that I love you girl and I do understand what you are going through, keep your screen door unlocked please.
You know what I mean.

I do feel your pain even though it is yours. I know the love you have for your family both two legged and four legged. I know how you feel about making sure everyone is happy and well cared for. I know the sacrafices you have made. Wanting, needing a good healthy horse to ride. Searching, finding one, bringing it home only to find it did not get along with those you already had and letting it go. many would have chosen the easier road and gotten rid of those with disabilities just to have a good solid horse to ride. But you and your heart truly loved and cared for those you already had, stuck by them, supported them, showed them what true love from a human really is. You have never let them think, what did I do to my master, why do I have to leave me home. You and I have both said to each other many times over, people do not get rid of thier children or famiily members just because they are sick, they stand by them, stick it out.

I am not saying this to make others angry or feel bad, just to Linda that I understand where her heart is.

I love you Linda. You have and always will hold a special palce in my heart for your strength and fortitude. For standing by those you love and what you believe in.

You are in my prayers. Give Casi a great big hug from me.

[Linda Y]

Thank you Leila. If anyone understands, you do.

[Linda Y]

Well, Casi is now at the bridge with her dad, Pep, and Tario...not to mention all those others who are there that I sent.
She got to have a big breakfast of sweet feed, which she hasn't been allowed to have for years. Plus bread, which is a favorite and was not allowed and some horse cookies and hay. Then she got a brushing and grazed in the front yard for a bit.
My baby girl is gone. I will miss her blue eyes so much.

[Terri]

Oh Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. But you did the right thing and did it the right way. She pain free and waiting for you.

[Carol Nelson]

I am so very sorry, Linda. You gave her such a good life, all the way to the end. Bless you! I've been there...I know what it's like. January 14, 2009. I'll never forget it. Absolutely heartbreaking.

[Marleen Robinson]

Linda, I am so sorry. I visited Margarita's grave this morning, told her she was getting a new friend real soon. Can you just imagine someday crossing that bridge and seeing all of our 'kids' running up to us?
I truly feel your pain, my wounds are still too fresh. I put down my cat, dog and horse in the last 14 months. How much can a person take. Maybe soon, I can open my heart to fill the void, with another needy one.Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Valrory]

Sorry for your loss. It's a very hard decision & I'm sure you've made the correct one.

[twopaso]

So sorry for you loss.

[Paso Matchmaker Extraordinaire]

Lots of hugs. ((((hugs))))