Rest in peace, Emma

[Shanthi]

Many of you heard the exploits of the TB/WB filly I had for a few years, Emma.  I sold her last fall to a young girl who fell in love with her.  Today I got this e-mail from her…

Hey Shanthi.
 
Emma had been doing great. I was riding her and she had progressed SO much. She was the best horse I could have EVER had and I have you to thank for that. I was blessed with such an amazing and beautiful girl. But on Wednesday September 27th, Emma had a accident.
She was running and (as she usually does) must have tried to skid to stop…this time it was too late, she swong her hind legs around breaking down part of the fence (I did not see this but it is our assumption). The next time I saw her she was running back to the main feild with her left hind leg up. I immediately put her in her stall and called our vet. He could not tell if it was a pull or a fracture so he admited Emma to Morven Park, the Virginia Tech Equine hospital in Leesburg. They took x-rays of Emma and found that she had a hair line fracture on her stifle, but their main concern was the gap in her joint. The vets called the orthopedic vet that took care of Barboro and he said  the same thing, that there was only a 1% chance of surgery doing anything at all. They would not be able to cast the area that was fractured and no plate could hold her weight. Emma would have had to wait all night to get surgery that most likely would have done nothing, I couldn’t put
her through that. The fairest thing to do for Emma was to put her down. It was
the hardest thing I have ever done in my life because she was the most amazinghorse I could have ever possibly gotten. I sat with her for atleast an hourtalking, hugging and kissing her… saying my final farewell. The vets are goingto use her for research so that maybe in the future a horse that gets the same injury will be able to live and someone will have Emma to thank for that.
 
I am sure this news is taking you by surprise and I still can’t get over this freak accident. I just wanted to let you know I gave her more of my love as I could have ever given to antoher horse. I loved her with all my heart. She was the most amazing horse I have ever known. Thank you for letting her be a part of my life. She is missed dearly.

I can’t believe she’s gone…she was only 4.    She and I didn’t have the best relationship, but she was a sweet girl, and had already survived one fractured leg (when she was about 5mos old.)

Poor baby…RIP, Emma.

[Nan]

Awww… What a huge loss for both of you. I’m really sorry to hear that. It sounds like her new owners tried their best for her, at least.

[Moochi]

I’m so, so, so sorry for your loss. I know she will be greatly missed, and that little girl will hold onto her memory forever. I hope both of you remember the happy times though. I know Emma, though she wasn’t human, probably wouldn’t want either of you to be too sad.

Big hugs…

[Chris]

Ahh that’s so sad. Best wishes to Emma’s owner.

[Mintano]

Oh wow…so sorry to hear that, I can imagine this breaks your heart, you had Emma for awhile and though she had her moments I know you loved her. 

[Amy_Livingston]

I am so sorry for your loss Shanthi. It seems like her new owner loved her VERY much. And you too. The good thing is that some other horse(s) might owe their lives to Emma in the future. RIP Emma.

[CascadeJade]

Oh Shanthi I’m soo sooo sorry! I remember when you first got her, when you first met her she was still with her dam, you raised her and I can’t imagine how hard this must be! Even if you didn’t get along great with her I know you still loved her (it had just turned out to be the best thing for her to be sold). It sounds like she had a great life though, however short.
I’m so so sorry!

[CricketHill]

hugs I’m so sorry, Shanthi!  Emma’s been through so much–I’d think by now she would have been a pro at stall rest.  She seems to have been such a vivacious horse.  From the sound of the letter though, it sounds like she had found a good home and that she was really loved.  So, even though her life was much too short (I remember drooling over her weanling pics!!), she definitely had a full one, even if it involved getting herself into more trouble than she knew what to do with.

My thoughts are with you, Shanthi. 

[BlueWolf]

Oh I’m so sorry  Shanthi… I really don’t know what to say But I don’t think much could help right now. You’re in my prayers

[Sarah]

Oh Shanthi…this is a huge shock!  I am so sorry!  It feels like I knew Emma, just from hearing about her and about the process you went through to sell her.  What a horrible tragedy

[Andrea]

Yikes.   I remember how bad I felt when I found out a previous horse of mine had torn his suspensory and he didn’t even get put down.  My thoughts’ll be with you and Krissy.

[hollyh1125]

My thoughts go out to the three of you.  That is the worst thing about horses…things that are so easily fixed in humans can be life-ending for a horse. I remember you giving us updates on her training and when you were working with her after your knee healed…lots of memories.

[KindleHopeFarms]

Oh my god! I’m so sorry Shanthi… I remember when you bought her! I aways used to love the updates and photos of her, too… I feel so sorry for that poor girl… my biggest fear has always been losing my horse in some freak accident… It’s amazing to me how horses embody fragility and power: Capable of galloping at 40mph, but with legs made of glass…