My old lady - Dilly, was PTS on monday morning, well into her 20's.
I've never known a time without this girl - she's homebred and was around when I was born: truley one of the family. I rarely 'click' with mares. They just aren't for me. But this lady was one of a kind and I love her to pieces.
She was a huge character - the sort of character that was born to be a star - and a star she was. Right from being a foal she was a hit in the showring, and she went on to take county championship after championship as a broodmare, and was the proudest (and strictist!) Mum I ever saw. Her foals were gorgeous, and many of them continued her show success.
A year or so ago we found she had a benign tumour. We were warned then that as it grew it was likely to cause her to colic, but until then, she was comfortable and happy to live out her days helping discipline and care for her greatgrandfoals, even mothering her grand daughter in her first year with foal. Over the weekend, she became uncomfortable on one hind leg, which by sunday night was clear to be stomach related. I got the vet out monday morning who confirmed a mild colic. Whilst we may have got her through this bout, we have no idea when the next hit could be, and with us no longer living at the yard she could have been 15+ hours in distress - which just wasn't fair. It was decided that whilst she was still herself, and not reduced to a frail old woman, it was only fair to put her to rest without prolonging the discomfort.
The vet had come prepared so there was no waiting around. We led her to the small grassed yard next to her field. Her family came and stood nearby - the stallion, and the senior mare coming to stand directly at the fence with her - the rest of them, including her great grandson and nephew, stood in the background. It touched me to see how strong their family herd link is - they knew it was time I'm sure.
She went gracefully and peacefully - remaining the lady right to the end - I'm glad I could stay with her the whole way. She was then later buried alongside her own mother, after the vets confirmed this was allowed.
RIP Dill - you'll always have a special place in my heart, and your spirit lives on in your sons and daughters
