Hi Folks, haven't been on in a while. Been busy with the move from Michigan to Texas with my two horses. The arab gelding did fine, but within a week of arriving, the 13 yr. haflinger had got dehydrated, then colic set in. They had both travelled well, taking 4 days to get here so we could aclimate to the 100 degree heat. At most, 8 hrs. in the trailer with turn-out each night. Gave eletrolytes and no grain. Drinking and eating ok, though not much eating (me neither).

The vet said he was the most stoic horse he'd ever seen, not showing much discomfort until he broke through the pain threshold. Tubing twice, vitamins and IV fluids weren't enough. He went down and couldn't get up, dying in my arms.

This was my finest horse I've ever had; he'd pull all day long and carry me wherever I wanted to go; didn't plan on saying bye to him for another 20 years.
Mike

So sorry for your loss!

Mike, I'm so sorry to hear this. Its so hard to lose the 'best'.

I'm sorry to hear about your horse. I've bought and sold horses for years. Trading teams as much as four times a year sometimes. I've had my haflinger mares for 4 and 5 years, fullsisters. They are the kind of horses that make you want to be around them. I can see how they could make you sentimental. Sorry for your loss.

Aww- I'm so sorry Mike. I know of this horse as you kindly sent me designs for a snow plow a year or two back with your horse hitched to it. He seemed like one of those rare gems that's almost impossible to replace. What a sad way to begin your new life in Texas. I do hope you find another nice gelding soon. I lost a wonderful gelding Fjord to an accident some years ago who was born broke to ride, work, and drive. But I've since acquired a delightful Haflinger mare from a fella here on the Rural Heritage site, from Alabama. She's not won my heart and loyalty like that Fjord, but I like her a great deal and do everything I can with her.

Man so sorry to hear about the loss of your horse.

I never realized how many horses die of colic, til our daughter became a Veterinarian. Sure sorry you lost your horse. Its a tough one. Lost my old Perch stud this past winter. They leave a hole in your heart for sure.

Mike, Sorry for your loss.

Mike:
It's "tuff stuff" losing a work-mate & companion whether it be human or animal. Hang tuff, time is the greatest healer.

I am sorry for your loss. I lost my 1/2 arab/quarter mare who never refused or shirked one task that I asked of her. I just try to remember how lucky I was to have had a horse like that at least once in my life.

You only lose good ones, culls live forever.

Thank you all for your kind words. Knowing many of you have had this happen, and are able to move on, restores me.
I'm looking, very patiently, for my next work partner.
Mike

That's a sad account, so much hope involved in a move thinking to start over and then, WHAM! What a blow. It doesn't sound like you could have done anything different to have changed the outcome. Sorry you had to go through that.