A Friend's Horse

[Tambrey]

As many know, we have a friend who has pastured his horses in our back acreage for a number of years now...he dotes on his horses...his kids are grown, and he is widowed, so his horses are his everything....
Even battling his own survival a couple of years ago with Leukemia, he never let up on caring for his horses...

We have 2 here this year...and he brought a 3rd today...his daughter's horse...Tonka will be with us in the pasture only until Thursday....Tonka has seizures and they have gotten worse these last months...he is 12 and his daughter's pride and joy...she has had him to vets all around the area...no known reason....she has tried various medications...nothing is stopping the seizures...they might get better for a while, but then come back worse than before...she can no longer ride him, and he is becoming a threat to himself and others around him should he have a seizure and fall, as he does...and might kick someone or another horse...or fall in a stable where it is too confined and he would break a leg or hurt himself somehow...

Soooo...she chose to bring him to our pasture where there is nothing to get hurt on...no one to hurt...where he can run and graze and be a horse with the sun shining on his back for a couple more days...then the vet will come out here and help him cross the bridge....

We stood out there for a long time talking...she kept hugging him...he would rest his head on her chest and nuzzle his nose in her neck...you can tell she loves him so much...but cannot continue to let him suffer with the seizures either...it is a tough decision for her and her dad to make...

My friend will bury Tonka in our pasture after the vet has left...

Please pray for Carl and Shelly...and for Tonka as he crosses the bridge

[Traci]

Oh what a sad story, my heart goes out to all of them. 12 years of age is relatively young for a horse, have they sought an opinion from an equine specialist outside of the area? (a consult with one or a university? this can be done by phone or teleconference or online, etc) - maybe a long shot but there are various toxins that can cause many effects like seizures (plants, feed recalls, which there have been in recent months, etc). I understand their decision to prevent Tonka any suffering, but I hope they have sought a professional opinion from an equine expert.

My thoughts and prayers are with Tonka and his family....((((((((HUGS)))))))

[Tina B and crew]

Awww...I'm so sorry for your friend Tambrey. Keeping Tonka and those who love him in my thoughts.

[k9Karen]

Tambrey - are you in an area with Lyme disease? Just wondering because Lyme can go to the brain if not treated.

[Shannon's Mom]

Prayers for Carl and Shelly and for Tonka. Safe journey to the bridge, Tonka. Hugs and prayers to all.

[Tambrey]

I did ask Shelly if he had been tested for Lyme and she said he had and was negative...I stood out there with them until the vet came, and then talked with them for a while to --- it was not one of the local vets, I have not seen this one before, but his license plate was our county ---I think he wanted to be sure this is what they wanted...I honestly think the vet wanted to try more...but she was tired of trying and having failures and continuing to put Tonka through everything only to continue to have seizures...sooo...I walked away before Tonka left us...I could not be there....but Carl and Shelly were with him...and he was buried in the rain at the back of our pasture early this morning...

[Tina B and crew]

Safe journey Tonka....run free!

[Traci]

How tragic, I'm so very sorry, poor Tonka, I wish more could have been done for him. Please pass on our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Tonka's owners... ****TEARS****

[Cleo]

Safe gallop to the bridge Tonka.