BACK FROM PORTUGAL, BUT TO A SAD TIME

[Heather]

Hi everyone,

Had a wonderul week in Portugal riding Grand Prix Lusiano stallions. More about that next week perhaps. I had to face the loss of my darling old horse Butch last night- those of you who have read my book will have seen his photo at the end- he was 26, and whilst well right up until the end, suddenly had liver failure yesterday, and developed severe jaundice. The vet said that there was nothing that she could do, so I had to say goodbye to one of the greatest horses that it has been my privilege to know.My yard manager Debbie,and my Father stayed with him while the injection took effect, and he went very peacefully.I am too upset to say more at the moment- be back on line next week for those with questions about the seminar.


Heather

[Mossy]

I feel for you. What a thing to come back to!

[Sonia]

Heather
I'm so sorry about Butch, it's like having lost a member of the family

Sonia

[Emarmite]

Heather,

I am sorry sorry to hear about your sad loss, and I am sure everyone is thinking about you


Beverley

[minx]

i'm so sorry to hear that... had the same experience last month with a favourite horse of mine. i empathize with u. bet u must be feeling so extremely down. it really takes time to get over it. just know that Butch is in good hands...

minx

[judyl]

Heather

I am so sorry to hear about Butch. How awful for you to come back from a super holiday and be faced with this. I'm sure all our hearts go out to you.

Judy

[Wally]

This is such sad news, and on top of Gwenllian's sad news too.
It is no easy time to lose a much respected and loved tutor.
Nothing can ever replace these school masters, the legacy they leave behind them is our skill and knowledge. We owe a lot to our old horses.

Sorry to hear the news.

[Gwenllian]

Heather....Sorry about your old friend Butch.This post touches a bit of a raw nerve, for me to be able to say much at the moment...the old water works are a bit close to the surface here too...but I'm still very,very sorry,and hope that your good memories of him will comfort and sustain you at this sad time.

[Nancy]

My sincere sympathy on the loss of your horse.

[Vicki]

Heather

So sorry about the sad loss of your old friend, everyone who has animals be they dogs, cats, horses etc will at sometime know exactly what you are going through.

With love and thinking of you,

Vicki, John and menagerie

[Heather]

Thank you all so much for your words of comfort. I knew that it wouldn't be many months before I had to make a decision, as although the old boy was well, it was getting more difficult to keep condition on him. I am glad that he took the decision for me, he can't have been in pain as he willingly munched carrots and apples at the end, but I knew as the vet did, that Butch's liver had packed up, and that there was nothing that could be done.

I have lost one of my old retired horses a year now for the last four years, each of them making the decision for me. My old pony Timmy was ill whilst I was in Portugal- he is 30- and I thought that it would be him that I had to come home to face losing. He had a vitamin B 12 injection, and has perked up again, but I know yet again, that it won't be long as his liver is not too good either. At that age they find it so difficult to metabolise food. I have had him 30 years, having bought him as a seven month old foal at Cambridge sales, when I was just 17 years old. He was too weak virtually to walk round the sales ring he was so emaciated, so the ring assistant was whacking him to try to get him to move. I paid 17 guineas for him, and he has been a great little pony- taught many small children to ride, and boy what a character! I didn't dare teach him the tricks that i knew he would have learnt so easily as I think the would have performed them when he wasn't suposed to. He invented enough of his own to liven up lessons as it was!

It is always so hard, as Gwenllian and all of you who have lost horses or any animals, but the trouble is they don't live as long as us,and there is always going to be heartbreak. But wouldn't our lives be the poorer without them?

Heather

[Mivs]

Heather,
I know, you have heard this but I am sorry to hear of your loss of Butch; It must be awful especially as it was unexpected (in addition to the fact that you loved him); The only consolation is that he won't be sufferring anymore!
My condolences, Miriam

[Sue]

Hi Heather

Welcome back, but I'm sorry that it's to such bad news. Our thoughts are with you.

Sue

[Queenie]

Heather,

I'm so sorry to hear about Butch. As you say it's so heartbreaking that our beloved animals never live as long as us. But our memories live as long as us and I bet those memories you have of him are true treasures.

Deepest Sympathies
Suzi

[LindaAd]

Nothing to add, Heather, except that I am so sorry. It must be some comfort that he lived such a long and happy life.

Linda

[Maria]

Heather

I was so sorry to hear about Butch. But I'm so glad that he chose his time to go before he really suffered. He would have been very happy being with Debbie and your Dad as he drifted away. And he's had one last good Summer.

I have very fond memories of the times I was lucky enough to ride Butch. Even the first time when I was a complete nervous wreck and you had to trick me into cantering on him!
I can also remember going round and round the school in walk trying to get Butch to halt, convinced I was applying the aids correctly but ... Strange how he halted as soon as I really did apply the aids correctly. I learnt an awful lot from Butch for which I will always be grateful.

Butch was very lucky to meet you and rewarded you by being a marvellous school master. Just try and remember the good times - and what a character he was. The tribute to Butch in your book will mean that he is always remembered.

Maria

[Sarah]

Heather,

i am terribly sorry to hear of your sad news. At least Butch had a happy ending, no long drawn out period of pain.

Sarah

[Remmy]

Heather,

I am so sorry to hear about Butch. I sympathise with you having to make that decision and my thoughts go out to you.

All the best

Vicki

[Heather]

Thank you all, and particularly Maria, who indeed does have some special memories of Butch because I know she won't mind me telling you that she was on the point of giving up when she came to me six years ago for her first course. Butch gave Maria the confidence she lacked- nothing to do with any lack of ability, all to do with the fact that instructors had demoralised her. As you say Maria, Butch will be immortalised in my book, but even more so when I write the next one as it will be dedicated to him.


Heather