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 Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Jackson, Rest in Peace

By Diana Hsieh @ 7:58 AM

Yesterday, I had to put down my horse Jackson. He was quite elderly, likely well past his mid-20s. I'd not ridden him for many years, as he was neither as large, nor as athletic, nor as obliging as my other horse Tara. Consequently, he lived an indolent and easy life as Tara's stable mate.

Jackson had not been himself for the last six months or so, perhaps in part because he developed equine cushing's disease. Something was even more amiss these last few days: he was off his feed and lying down more than usual. I was definitely worried about him on Sunday, but I wasn't sure what the problem was, nor whether it was serious. I called my vet early yesterday (Monday) morning. Shortly before the vet arrived late that afternoon, Jackson was somewhat suddenly and very clearly in the late stages of colic. He was in enormous pain -- too much to be controlled by even vast quantities of drugs. He showed no sign of improvement from the standard course of treatment. As the vet was preparing to leave, we realized that the best thing to do would be to put him down immediately, rather than allowing him to suffer for more hours in the vain hope of recovery.

So that's what we did. It was hard, but I'm certain that was the right choice.

Jackson wasn't my favorite horse. In fact, I'd have to say that I didn't like him all that much. Yet he was a reasonably good fellow, and he performed his part in my life quite well. Still, he was my horse, I did love him, and I will miss him. Tara will miss him far more, I fear.

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 Comments

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 8:04:22 mst
Comment ID: #1
Name: Trey Peden
E-mail: trey(at)treygivens.com
URL: http://flibbertigibbet.mu.nu/

oh no! I'm very sorry to hear about your and Tara's loss.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 11:14:06 mst
Comment ID: #2
Name: Ryan C

My goodness, you must stop posting all these sad stories of your animals. It's almost too much to handle! I hate hearing about anything innocent suffering like that. You made the right decision by putting him down.
Hoping for the best!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 12:14:17 mst
Comment ID: #3
Name: Michael Labeit
E-mail: logician169(at)yahoo.com
URL: http://unit-perspective.blogspot.com

My condolences.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 12:16:20 mst
Comment ID: #4
Name: rgg120

How sad for all of you. It is never an easy choice, but one that has to be made when the time is right, as you have done. Remember the good times.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 12:16:45 mst
Comment ID: #5
Name: rgg120

How sad for all of you. It is never an easy choice, but one that has to be made when the time is right, as you have done. Remember the good times.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 12:17:21 mst
Comment ID: #6
Name: brian0918
E-mail: my handle through gmail
URL: http://reality.ohio.newintellectuals.org

My deepest sympathies for your loss! Please keep us updated on Tara's progress.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 14:02:09 mst
Comment ID: #7
Name: Monica Hughes
E-mail: monicabeth10(at)gmail.com
URL: http://fa-rm.org/blog

So sorry to hear of this loss. It is always so tough to lose a pet and you've had a difficult couple of years on that score.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 16:23:21 mst
Comment ID: #8
Name: Mark Wickens
E-mail: noodlefood(at)wickens.ca
URL: http://randex.org/

Sorry for your loss of Jackson, Diana.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 16:51:47 mst
Comment ID: #9
Name: Brendan
E-mail: obdura(at)gmail.com

This is the second tragedy I've heard of today. Some people say that the more pain you become aware of, the less you can conceive of it, and perhaps this is true in some sense. But my heart is going out just as strong to you as it did to my friend earlier.

I wish you and Tara a peaceful mourning period.

Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 5:57:27 mst
Comment ID: #10
Name: Gus Van Horn
E-mail: cavanhorn(at)gmail.com

My condolences. As you know, I recently had to make a similar decision.

The moment you have to make that decision is very, very painful, but you go through with it anyway because you care.

Jackson was lucky to have had a loving home.

Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 20:55:11 mst
Comment ID: #11
Name: Anonymity

Well, when you're ready for another horse... I've seen many ads on Craigslist advertising many horses for sale at practically give-away prices. A lot of people, caught up in the recession/depression, perhaps having lost their jobs, just cannot afford to feed their big friends anymore and must find them new homes.

Just like with housing, *if* you can afford to buy (and also keep up with the feed and vet bills), now is a good time. Heck, I've also been hearing stories of purebred/show horses being literally given away because they could not be sold for a reasonable price.

I've always wanted a horse, but cannot afford one. But I can't help but notice all those ads out there.

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