Wind died last night from
a massive colic impaction. She came up with symptoms on Wednesday afternoon.
I called a vet immediately, and the vet treated her. All looked good and
promising. The following morning, Wind was still showing the same symptoms
of laying down and no interest in eating. The vet came back in late
morning to check her. Wind's condition had gotten worse. Some horses can
take up to 24 hours to pass the oil that was used to treat her. The vet returned
at 5:00. Wind's condition had gotten even worse and was declared terminal.
The pain medication she was on was no longer keeping her comfortable. Her
intestines had ruptured. The oil treatment had not helped her. The vet
thinks she had a stone lodged in her intestines that had been gradually growing
inside her from our hard water that we have in Southern California.
We didn't want Wind to suffer any more. She had been so incredibly brave
throughout this ordeal. We put her to sleep. She would have been 24 on April
7. Bill buried her in our arena. I hope and pray that she is in horse heaven
with rolling hills, green grass, and her mother, April.
Wind has been my "baby"
since she was conceived inside her mother, my former horse, April, who
I had bred because I wanted to raise a colt or filly. She was born on April
7, 1983 up north in Arcata, CA where I attended Humboldt State. This was
the most exciting and happiest moment of my life. I was able to watch her
birth and we bonded instantly. I handled her and loved her every day from
the day she was born until the day she died, which lasted for only 24
years. She should have lived into her 30's. I can't imagine what life will
be like without her. She was an amazing trail horse, and my twin daughters
had been riding her in gymkhana and on trails.
She will be so missed by
me, my family, and by Wind's horse family. She was the heart of our little
herd. She is survived by her son, Storm, age 11, her beloved friend, Tachi,
age 32 (who is blind and frail), and Tachi's son, Chance, age
11. Wind had been Tachi's companion all of her life. Tachi wasn't
supposed to outlive Wind. All three horses have been whinnying for her
all day. I love Wind with all my heart and soul and will never bond with
another horse as I was bonded to her since her birth.
My grief is immeasurable
and permanent. I can't bear the thought of going out to feed the horses
because I won't hear Wind's high pitched whinny or see her beautiful face
with her perfect white blaze. She didn't deserve to die like this. She wasn't
old enough and still had so much purpose in life being my beloved pet,
a trail horse for myself and my kids, a blue ribbon gymkhana horse, and the
lead alpha mare of our little horse herd. She had so much spirit and so much
to give. She gave me joy, love, and contentment all of her life.
Goodbye, Wind. God bless
you for eternity.
Tamar
