Chini Cream dun miniature Shetland gelding Born 28th May 2002 - Passed away 25th June 2010 Chini had the biggest eyes I ever saw on a horse. They were beautiful and he loved having his eyelids kissed. They were like velvet and I loved kissing them. He was the most gentle miniature ever and so submissive but so willing to please. Chini came to me almost a year ago. Eight years old, never done any work other than been a pet and field companion. When Chini came off the lorry lathered and terrified, I took him to the mini Shetland field immediately, as he had a familiar face there to greet him, his friend, Hamlet, and my other two Shetlands who are very welcoming to all. He calmed quickly and was made welcome. I noticed he had diarrhea and put this down to the stress of travel and new pasture. It was the back end of the summer and after giving him charcoal this settled down. My 4 little boys got on great and Chini and Hammy, who were not broken to drive, loved coming out tied to Stan and Rodney's cart. They took to it like ducks to water, they enjoyed the exercise and the change of scenery. In the winter they came in on a night and shared a large caw barn, then when the hard winter cleared I decided to long rein Chini. Bless him, he did all I asked on first command. He'd obviously been listening whilst tied on the side of the cart. He didn't bat an eyelid at having a bit in either, so 2nd lesson I put full harness on and long reined him out to the woods. He did enjoy it, bless him, not a hoof wrong. Third lesson, okay, let's see how he reacts to having cart attached. Still not bothered by that either, off we went, me long reining from behind the cart. He was so good that on the way back I decided to hop in and he was so pleased with himself, he was actually smiling and I was so proud of him. He was my little superstar and always will be. Then spring came and Chini started with diarrhea again and weight dropped off him. Time for the vet. Whilst waiting for the results, Chini had feeds with supplements, redcell, milk thistle, vitamins, steroids. Results came back severe liver damage caused by ragwort grazing and tape worm damage. So after agonizing over the decision I decided to let Chini go to sleep. He now lays in the mini Shetland paddock were I promised him a forever home with me and his friends. Credit to my vet as he did the job so kindly. I will love you forever, Chini, my little superstar. Kenina Platts

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