2415 116th ST NE
Marysville, WA
Marysville, WA
A Harsh Winter of 2007-08 Makes Life Hard on Senior Horses
April 2008
By Dr. Vel Moore
By Dr. Vel Moore
The winter of 2007-08 has taken its toll on ERA’s senior horse population. Two of our older horses, and one older pony have passed away in the past 45 days.
The first was Noche, a small pinto pony in his late 20’s. This little guy was a strong-willed individual who survived at ERA for three years, in spite of serious founder in his front feet. The damp, cold weather brought added ache to his hindquarters that struggled to keep weight off of his front end.
This condition had been brought on by his two-year stint in a pasture with sheep. He was discovered by a horsewoman who took him home and tried to help him. After a year’s effort, she brought him to ERA feeling that most everything had been done that could. Through the work of our shoer, Greg Fornia, and attention given by volunteers, Noche gained mobility and a degree of comfort. But still, his condition worsened this winter and he grew leg weary and fatigued. His back legs finally said, “no more!”. One day he had severe trouble getting up from the ground, and it was clear that his time had come. His two girlfriends, Becky and Jasmine miss him, but his stall was not empty for long.
The day after he died, Blacky’s owner called to ask if we had room for a miniature horse who had no where else to go. She had heard of ERA and thought it might be a good place for the little old fellow to live out his life. By week’s end, he had moved in and set the pony harem in its place, taking his spot as the herd’s acting stallion. He immediately got their respect without bloodshed!
Star was another one that found the winter weather too difficult. Her age, over 30 years, brought arthritis problems to her hips and lower back. Volunteers noticed that she was beginning to have a hard time getting but from the ground when she was turned out to pasture. Then, one morning she could not rise, even with considerable help. She was therefore, euthanized by the vet and allowed to pass over.
In August on 2006 when she arrived at ERA, Gypsy Star had just lost her companion of many years. He had broken his foot off in a tire wheel and had to be put down. The woman who picked up his body found Star alone and abandoned by her owner. When the woman came to ERA to pick up another horse (Toby), she asked if she could bring the mare to the rescue. So, Star spent one and a half years with us, giving beginner lessons and helping children learn to groom. She put on weight and in the summer became a beautiful black velvet, shiny mare, adored by her riders.
She is missed and loved by many volunteers who realized and accepted that it was her time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Gone but a day, a caller asked if we could take a thin, formerly abused horse named Shay. Again, and empty stall was filled immediately.
The first was Noche, a small pinto pony in his late 20’s. This little guy was a strong-
This condition had been brought on by his two-
The day after he died, Blacky’s owner called to ask if we had room for a miniature horse who had no where else to go. She had heard of ERA and thought it might be a good place for the little old fellow to live out his life. By week’s end, he had moved in and set the pony harem in its place, taking his spot as the herd’s acting stallion. He immediately got their respect without bloodshed!
Star was another one that found the winter weather too difficult. Her age, over 30 years, brought arthritis problems to her hips and lower back. Volunteers noticed that she was beginning to have a hard time getting but from the ground when she was turned out to pasture. Then, one morning she could not rise, even with considerable help. She was therefore, euthanized by the vet and allowed to pass over.
In August on 2006 when she arrived at ERA, Gypsy Star had just lost her companion of many years. He had broken his foot off in a tire wheel and had to be put down. The woman who picked up his body found Star alone and abandoned by her owner. When the woman came to ERA to pick up another horse (Toby), she asked if she could bring the mare to the rescue. So, Star spent one and a half years with us, giving beginner lessons and helping children learn to groom. She put on weight and in the summer became a beautiful black velvet, shiny mare, adored by her riders.
She is missed and loved by many volunteers who realized and accepted that it was her time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Gone but a day, a caller asked if we could take a thin, formerly abused horse named Shay. Again, and empty stall was filled immediately.
Bocephus was an Appy/Arab cross gelding, who came to ERA in spring of 2003, with a serious injury to the tendons and cartilage of his right hip and leg. He was retired from riding and later became the close companion of Emma, a thoroughbred mare. When another TB mare, Harbour, came to the rescue, the three bay horses became a turn-out trio. They shared pasture time and side-by-side stalls from that time until the present.
However, the harsh cold and dam winter of 07-08 made it very hard for Bo to continue normal living. He began to have greater and greater difficulty walking to and from the pasture. It was also a trial for him to go down and get up from the ground. Hence, the decision was made to euthanize him rather than find him down one morning after a night of struggle to arise. He left a hole in the herd that may never be refilled, and he passed over with the good will and prayers of all the volunteers.
But, as is usually the case, his stall was filled the next day by a new horse who desperately needed a home. A TB mare, Missie, who is but five years old. Those of us who knew Bo feel that he would be very happy to know that his place has been given to a beautiful mare, that he would court if he could!
However, the harsh cold and dam winter of 07-
Bo surrounded by loving volunteers on his last day