Friday, February 26, 2010

Honey in the Money 2000 - 2010

In late January 2008, my husband and I made the long drive from Pasco to Poulsbo. I was excited. I was picking up my very own Thoroughbred! She was a grand-daughter of Seattle Slew, tall, long, with a huge floaty trot. I could totally see my untrained butt flopping around in an English saddle as she moved around the rail with elegance and grace. When we arrived at the farm, she was run into a training barn with 5 other mares. One was the pregnant one (Heddy Weed) that came home with her.

As my eyes fell on her, the fit, sleek, shiny TB mare of my imaginings evaporated like the smoke exhaled from the lips of a smoker. What stood before was a skinny, hairy aloof mare with rainrot, nasty hooves, and a halter that had been on her face WAY too long! I could hear Mike thinking "Are you out of your mind? You want to put THIS in the trailer?" Or maybe he said it out loud. I don't know because I was mesmerized as this pitiful creature, by far the most pitiful I'd seen in my up-until-then-limited experience, literaly floated away from where I was standing.

I watched her for several moments without even breathing. I saw, with my mind, the healthy, sleek, shiny, exquisite beauty under the mud, and fungus, and nappy mane. She floated like a cloud. To ride her would be like riding silk. I turned to Emily and said "I want that one". I could barely breathe. I didn't relax until the mares were in the trailer and I was 20 miles from the farm. I was so afraid that they'd change their mind and take her out of the trailer.

Honey in the Money had come home.

My first task was to get her back to a healthy weight and clear up the rainrot. Only then would I consider riding her. Six months later, I made my first attempt.

Honey was cinchy. She did NOT like being cinched up in any way shape or form. She let you know her displeasure without being mean about it. I got to the arena and free longed her before climbing on. I WAS RIGHT!! She was smooth as silk! For about 15 minutes. Then she started to favor her back leg.

I spent MONTHS trying to find out what had happened to her. What I learned ended her riding career and she was relegated to the pasture, a beloved, beautiful pet.
I never even thought to ride her again, knowing that to do so would only cause her pain.

Last summer, Honey was playing in the pasture and stepped too close to the wooden fence post, crack the very center of her hoof all the way through the wall, and all the way to the hairline. The vet and the farrier said if she got shoes up front and frequent trimming, it would grow out completely and she'd be pasture sound once again.

Over the last two weeks, Honey has gotten progressively more lame. To the point where she wouldn't even attempt to play in the arena. That alone told me something was very very wrong.

I spent a lot of time yesterday watching her, her demeanor, her behavior, her walking, her standing. Honey was in a LOT of pain, and it was selfish of me to pretend that she'd be fine.

I ended Honey's suffering today. Kneeling in the trailer with the vet, trying to say goodbye through my tears, it hit me again just how much this sweet cuddly snuggle-bear meant to me and just how much I am going to miss her.

I see Honey across the Rainbow Bridge, flying across the grass that is alway green and where the sun is always warm. I'm crying for me, because of the emptiness her passing has created. I know I did the right thing.

Rest in peace, my sweet Honeybear. I love you.

11 comments:

Deanna said...

Oh, I am so sorry, I have never had to put any of my horses down yet, but I can only imagine the pain you are going through. But, you absolutely did the right thing, she is now pain free and no doubt running through open fields at Rainbow Bridge! Although you will bear the pain and suffering for her for awhile, hopefully it will get better with time, and you can always know in your heart that you did right by her.....hugs...:(

http://horsefilleddays.blogspot.com/

BluelineGoddess said...

It sounds like her last two years made up for anything that happened to her in the past. Godspeed, Honey!

Mary Lyter said...

God bless you for having the courage to be there for a friend.

luvredponies said...

I don't even know you and yet I want to give you a hug! I didn't even know Honey and yet I am sitting here with tears running down my face. My heart goes out to you for your losses - there have been too many in the short time I have been reading this blog.

Karen V said...

Yes, there have been so many. Joy, Heddy, Dobbs, Beau, and now Honey.

When Mike and I started rescuing horses, we talked at length about how there was a possibility that we would have to put horses down. We discussed at length whether we would be strong enough to make the tough call and end the suffering of a voiceless animal.

As heartbreaking as it is, we are still strong enough. Though times are tough financially right now, we still have enough to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done.

Watching the pain and suffering is not an option. We accept the responsibility for our own horses and the horses that we rescue.

Nikker said...

I am so Sorry, my heart goes out to you and Mike...

Anonymous said...

Hugs to you, Karen & Mike for your unselfish act.

Hugs to you both for the heartache you are going thru right now.

(((((((((Karen & Mike))))))))))))


K.Park Lk Wales, FL

Anonymous said...

Long time reader, first time commenter. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Honey was so lucky to have been able to end her journey in a place where she was so loved & taken care of. Its not an easy decision, & it sounds like you made the right one.

Best wishes,

Jamie

fuglyhorseoftheday said...

She was a wonderful mare. I'm so sorry she had something that couldn't be fixed. :(

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry, Karen. My heart goes out to you and yours.

Michelle said...

I'm so sorry Karen..