Saying Goodbye Far Too Soon

It always seems to be the really good ones, doesn't it? The exceptional souls that have some freak situation happen that shortens their existence. This was the recent reality of our superstar pony, Jasmine. In the fall, our sweet pony girl started showing signs of foot soreness. Now, when she'd come to us 4 years ago, she was not quite right. There was evidence of neglect done previously that left a mark of damage. That told me that we were not going to be able to have her for long, and to really enjoy the time we did have. I'm pretty sure we did just that!

After the last show in August Jasmine attended with my youngest niece, she started showing intermittent foot soreness. We started managing pain and progressing to stronger and stronger insulin-resistant/laminitis management protocol. It seemed her symptoms were worsened while she was in her heat cycles, so I started her on chasteberry to try to level out her hormones. Slowly she continued to decline regardless of the management. We're talking NSC no higher than 9, daily 1/4 tablet of Previcox, and still, she declined, spending more time laying down and making shorter trips around her pen. She would still eat happily and got herself to the water, shelter and to flirt with the geldings whenever the mood presented. I made a call to the Westlock vet as I'd come to know their equine doctor as very competent and compassionate. Excellent practicality with feet and legs. In short, I trust him. I booked her for some radiographs to see what the degree of founder rotation was and if there was any protocol left that I hadn't already tried that could remedy the issue. Her first front foot showed a rotation of 15+ degrees, some remodeling, but joint spaces looked really good, no ring bone, and her sole depth was 22 - 24 mm. Excellent news! The second front foot, however, demonstrated equal rotation, or even slightly more, same sole depth, but appearance of bone cysts on her coffin bone and possibility of navicular involvement. The vet opted to take a single view of one of her rear hooves and it was the same story again. No doubt the 4th would have been more of the same. Not the news we were hoping for. He felt confident that this pony was not PPID, not a typical Cushings presentation at all and, since we were already following full protocol - even beyond that, it was likely not the cause of what was happening to our sweet girl. What was the acute cause? Another one of life's great mysteries. We'll chalk it up to poor genetics and previous neglect causing permanent trauma. The long and short of it though, there was nothing left outside of stronger pain management - which would only be a short-term treatment anyways. The damage was done and would continue to progress. Suffering is not something I can tolerate seeing my 4-legged friends endure. I asked the vet to put her down. My mom had come with me. She fed Jasmine all the cookies she could eat while I braided up and cut her tail to take home. Two very kind veterinary students were attending as well and they were respectful and compassionate. Jasmine laid down so calmly and relaxed. She was ready. Mom and I stayed with her and thanked her for the wonderful time she spent with our family and the many, many gifts she had given each of us. Gone too soon, but not soon forgotten.

My regular sign off does not feel right here, so we'll try this... Soon to be happier-horseing. <3