Yesterday, I met with Dr. Hannah and some of the caretakers to discuss Tia. While she has settled down from her very unsettling episodes of extreme anxiety that she was exhibiting a couple of weeks ago, she is still generally showing some signs of agitation at times. She is not comfortable being turned out in the pasture at all and even when turned out in the arena, seems to spend a lot of time pacing in front of the gate wanting to come back into her stall. She does not seem to see well at all these days, and frequently will run into you when leading or handling her or when cleaning her stall. Dr. Hannah does feel that her sight has deteriorated as well as the fact that she has some amount of dementia. As she is believed to be well into her 30s, this is understandable.
We spent some time watching her in the arena yesterday, on a good day when she was not upset and agitated. I watched her wander over to a soft spot in the arena, have a good roll (flipped herself all the way over) and jump easily back up to her feet. But when she got up, she was feeling a bit spunky, and decided to run our direction. There were four of us standing in the arena, and it quickly became apparent that she was going to run right into us. We all waved our arms and yelled but she did not seem to see us and almost mowed me right over even as I veered out of her way.
After a lot of discussion, the decision was made that the best thing for Tia would be to put her down. We would rather see her go on a good day, with a full belly, surrounded by those that have cared for her the past few months, than to risk facing a terrifying emergency situation in which Tia has become a danger to herself and others due to her lack of sight and dementia, which we could easily see happening in the near future. We take solace in knowing that we have given Tia a tremendous gift of kindness, love, a never-empty bucket of mush, and a soft and safe place to lie down, these past few months.
Tomorrow morning at 10am, Tia will be laid to rest by Dr. Hannah. I will be there to help her on her way over the rainbow bridge. I hope as she gallops over to the other side, that she clearly sees the beautiful pastures as she can no longer in this life and body, and feels only peace and serenity. RIP Tia, we will miss you!
You have Tia’s best interest in mind and this is the right thing to do for her. I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow morning. Thank you for giving her a good home of love and food.
This reminds me of my 8 yo OTTB, that I got when he was 4. He had cataracts in both eyes, which didn’t stop us from going on trail rides, since I earned his trust and he was the best horse I have ever ridden inside a dressage arena. But then he developed wobblers and I retired him at 8, when he started falling down in his pasture when he’d lose all feeling in his hind-end. He became so scared after falling that he’d fall again from his fear and panic of running. It was tough, since he’d have amazingly great days and behave like a 2 year old, but I had to think about what was best for him.
I was privileged to meet Tia at the SAFE facility. She exhibited such loveliness and dignity. I know this was a difficult decision. May she rest having known love.
I am so thankful that Tia got to spend her final months in such a loving envirornment. It can’t be an easy decision to come to but heart is full of gratitude for the bravery & compassion she will know as she is set free. Much love to Tia.
It is best to let them go before their condition deteriorates to the point of constant agitation and confusion. Peace be with you, Jaime, and Tia as she completes her life on earth.
I’m so sorry for your sad day Jaime. You and SAFE provided a great home and wonderful care for sweet Tia during her final time on the earth. That is a blessing to her.
Sounds just like Sunline…when her vision deteriorated to the point that she was not safe for even an experienced handler, it was time to let her go and spare her any of the many possible bad outcomes for a horse in her condition, like getting hung up in fence or getting loose. Good decision for Tia.