Death from being tied to a tree

[willumau]

Some of you may be aware of the circumstances of hubby and I losing our 3 month old foal in January this year while he was a patient at our vet's facility following a serious fetlock injury. This was the first time we had ever experienced the death of a horse, made worse because it happened while he was away from home.

Well hubby and I have just been hit by a second tragedy involving our 5 year old QH gelding. Photo of Apollo, he is the one on the right.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n42/peggysue214/1098924e.jpg

I am totally distressed and in tears right now. Apollo, my 5 year old chestnut gelding (Peggy Sues 2001 foal) died yesterday.

He went to his trainer 2 weeks ago to finish his training. He was broken in 2 years ago. He was coming along really well, he had not forgotten anything that he had been taught previously.

Yesterday the trainer rang me to tell me Apollo was dead. He had just finished a training session and had tied Apollo to a tree, which he had done many times before. Apollo wasn't pulling back or anything, but he was whinnying to be with his mates and tossed his head back hitting the tree with his head.

The trainer saw it happen, he said Apollo had struck the tree with his head at his right temple and dropped to the ground dead immediately. I am extremely devasted and am absolutely mind boggled that this could happen.

What could one have done to prevent this from happening? Apollo had been tied up before and was used to it. What training could have prevented it? Should one never tie horses to posts or trees? Would more partnership training have prevented him from wanting to be with his mates? Is it because he was in a strange place? So many questions, is it just a fluke tragic accident that perhaps could not have been prevented?

I just can't believe how we can lose two horses in less than a year, while they were both off our property. Hubby says he will never let another horse leave our property, but sometimes you have no choice. I just don't know.

[Dina]

I am so sorry to hear that:(,I don't think you could prevent something like that its just a freak accident.
(((((((((hugs))))))))))

[LindaAd]

I'm so, so sorry willumau. What an awful , tragic way to lose a horse. Words fail me, there's really nothing more to say.

But I'm sure nothing could have been done to prevent it. It's just one of those dreadful, unpredictable, freak accidents.

[galadriel]

Oh, oh how tremendously sad. What could I possibly say?

Lots of sympathy. Lots of hugs.

[Skyhuntress]

I'm so sorry hun.
Honestly, I don't think anything could have been done. I mean, you can always say "He shouldn't have been tied to the tree" but millions upon millions of people do this without any problem. What a horrible freak accident.

At least you can be comforted that it wasnt' a lingering, painful death :(

[willumau]

My brain is telling me that it was a horrible freak accident, but my heart is breaking.

You are all right, it was a freak unpreventable accident. I am just trying to reconcile within myself. Hubby is upset because we sent him away. But we had to - we were not experienced enough to train him ourselves. I have explained to hubby that the accident could easily have happened on our property, we often tie our horses to trees.

After the euphoria of Peggy Sue's foal arriving 4 days ago, to the death of Apollo, my emotions are playing havoc. Peggy Sue is the horse on the left in the picture above. Ash's head, is just in the photo (above Apollo's bum).

We only have Peggy Sue and her foal and Ash left now, I must just stay focussed on them now.

Ash is my plod along Percheron/Arab cross and he was Apollo's best friend. Both Peggy Sue and Ash have missed Apollo because he has been away for 2 weeks. Hubby and I had plans to ride out together when Apollo came back.

We must just learn to accept that accidents will happen and having animals in your life can be very painful when you lose them.

Thank you for your hugs, I can feel them here in Oz.

[stormy's mum]

o dear im so sorry that is so tragic i lost my fav arab to founder a few months ago so i know how painful it is to lose a horse hope you feel better soon

[BeachRiding]

****hugs**** coming your way. So sorry hun.

[bexj]

That is absolutely dreadful, poor you. I can't imagine the turmoil you must be feeling. I also think this sounds like a freak but tragic accident, try not to blame yourself and take some comfort from your other horses. {{hugs}}

[Lucy J]

how dreadful, so sorry for you. Owning a mare who does pull back and has smacked her head on a few occassions I am now very careful where I tie her up and always make sure she has room to pull back and throw her head up - but even on the first occassion I could have had the same misfortune.

best wishes to you all x

[RustyMary]

(((((hugs))))) from Slovenia. So sorry to hear this, what an awful accident. Horses seem to be such fragile creatures. This sounds like something that could never have been foreseen or prevented. So sorry hun.

[Wally]

That is just too freakish. Two horses in 12 months, out of your care.

I'm not sure anything could have been done to prevent this, just a freak accident, a hitching rail could have done the same I suppose if the horse hit is head in the wrong place.

I am so sorry to hear of your losses, it brings t home to me just how lucky we have been, we cannot wrap them in cotton wool, but after your experiences I wouldn't blame you if you did!

Nothing I can say really.

[domane]

I am so very very sorry for your loss.

What a tragic accident....

[neen]

How upsetting for you to lose two horses like this, in such a short space of time. It does just sound like an accident that couldn't be prevented.

[palmerlover52]

How awful for you :(

Really really sorry, hope you can find it within yourself to move on from this tragedy :(

[Herbie's mummy]

omg am so sorry xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
If the horse was tied to bailing string on the tree with a saftey knot, then when he pulled back it would of broke.....i duno:S

REALLY sorry xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[sheryl]

So sorry for your loss.
I know how you are feeling. I lost my first pony 2 years ago. He was old, but I had had him 22 years. I had never felt so bad in all my life, but time is a great healer;) . Don't talk about it until you're ready, and keep your mind occupied with other things. I would be grateful that your horse didn't suffer in any way, and I'm sure he knew nothing about it. Theres not a better way to go.

I'm sure this was a completely freak accident, that is never going to happen to you again. Don't blame yourself. Freak accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. Its just so unfortunate that you've lost 2 in a year. Hopefully now, you'll have some good luck come your way:) .

I'd just like to say to anyone though, always tie your horse to a thin piece of baling twine, and somewhere safe.
In this case I don't think it would have made any difference, but a lot of other accidents could be avoided.

Hugs to you, and hope you feel better soon:)

[RobaDob]

:eek: im sosososo sorry!! :(

xx((HUGS))xx

[Est]

What a terrible accident :( Sending you gentle hugs and good wishes.

[*millie*]

I'm really sorry to hear about your horses :(:(

[Horse100]

So sorry for your loss :(

*Hugs*

[Scarlett 001]

Oh no. What a dreadful thing to happen. It does sound like a nasty, freak accident. It doesn't make it hurt less, but you should take some comfort in that you are not to blame.

Sending lots of warm hugs and thoughts. Your other horses will be there to provide comfort during this tough time. So sorry. :(

[Miriam]

((((((((hugs)))))))) I'm so sorry :(

[Afellpony]

So sorry to hear your terrible news. Sending you lots of hugs.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[joey_olop]

So sorry for your loss :( :(sending you lots of hugs

[x.fat-pony.x]

Awwww i'm really sorry for your losses, but at least - like the others have said - it was over and done with quickly, he wasn't suffering.
My friend from polo had a horse tied onto a tree in its field after lunging him, she was just putting the lunge line etc into the shed and it started to rain and lightning hit the tree :eek: he died instantly but my friend still continuously blames herself even though it was a freak accident.
I hope you have the courage and determination to carry on, and just keep remembering it was an accident! x

[Lucyad]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It certianly sounds like a freak accident - it could have happened if tied to anything solid, such as a ring on a wall, trailer, gate or anything.

[Mehitabel]

i'm so very sorry. but really, there was nothing you or anyone could have done - it sounds like he just hit the wrong spot at the wrong angle.

[chickflick1066]

Gosh, how sad. I am so sorry :(

[willumau]

Thank you everyone for your kind messages and hugs. You guys at NR gave me comfort when I lost my foal in January from a terrible accident and now you have done the same for Apollo's death - thank you.

I received a phone call from my vet last night (the one who was looking after my foal when he died). He knows Apollo's trainer and he rang me to talk about Apollo's accident to help me reconcile with myself. He explained that these accidents do happen - he went to to explain several cases that he knew of in his career where horses have been killed immediately following a hard knock to the head in the wrong place including the poll. I explained how bad the trainer feels about the accident and he said he knows exactly how he feels (referring to the loss of my foal).

I am grateful that Apollo didn't suffer like my foal did. I will sell his saddles bridles and rugs, I cannot look at them without feeling sad.

I will focus on my trusty steed Ash, Peggy Sue, (his mother) and his little sister Velvet (who he never met), she was born last Tuesday.

I know some NR members have lost their horses or pets and can understand the pain that only an animal lover can experience. Your words have been a comfort and your hugs warm. Thank you.

RIP Tom 16/10/2005 - 26/01/2006
RIP Apollo 01/11/2001 - 13/10/2006

[jumpthemoon]

So sorry. We all try think about the "what ifs" in situations like this but that could've happened to anyone. We can never provide a totally safe environment. Even the most predictable horses do things that take us by surprise. Nothing you could've done would've have prevented this. Some may say that tying to a tree isn't the safest thing to do but just think of your horses stable, lorry, trailor etc All these things increase your horses chance of head injury but yet we do these things everyday. I can only agree that this was a freak accident.

[smaggi]

That's terrible! I'm so sorry. At least there is one small consolation that he died instantly and didn't suffer.

[Imp]

What an awful and tragic accident. You must be devastated :(

[katieB]

What terrible news :( My last horse died from a severe head injury less than a week after I sold her on, it was a freak accident that was no ones fault and im sure the same can be said in Apollos case too. Sending you lots of hugs during this awful time.

[Greentchr]

So sorry {{{hugs}}}

Accidents like that happen so fast, and are so devastating for those left behind. It takes time to come to terms with your double loss. Our condolances and best wishes to you and your husband...

[colettybetty]

How terribly sad.. and so very unlucky.Losing a horse is totally devastating, more so for you going through it twice.(coincidence, lady at my yard lost two horses in freak accidents a few months apart.)
I'm glad you have your husband to share your grief, seems he loves them as much as you, lovely man :)