11/09/2024
In loving memory of Heros
1995-2024
I am sorry to have to let you know that on the 22nd of August, Heros was euthanizied. This decision was made a few months prior during his quarterly veterinary visit. Heros had developed Equine Cushing’s disease the year prior and was receiving daily medication and regular blood tests to ensure the dosage was correct but after a thorough discussion with his veterinarian we came to the conclusion that his welfare will only further deteriorate as time went on. We had particular concern about the tough Welsh winter months. I knew keeping him in a stable could (physically) buy him another year or two but this would come to a great cost to his mental well-being as well as causing leg pain as he has always struggled with inflammation and arthritis when stabled since I met him many years ago as a shut down riding school horse. I believe in providing animals a life worth living, where they should not just be surviving but thriving. In some instances some level of mental suffering could be justified if it lead to recovery (eg. box rest post-injury) but we are talking about an incurable, degenerative disease in a 29 year old animal.
I let Heros go on a sunny day, he happily cantered towards me as I called him over to spend the day with his friends in a paddock filled with fresh grass. He was lively and happy, his quality of life was not great but it was good. It was good from the moment I made the decision until the moment he collapsed from the lethal injection. It is difficult to let your animal go on a good day but in the animal care sector we have a few sayings that I hold on to every single time they exhale their last breath:
Death is not a welfare issue.
And
Better 2 months too early, than 2 days too late.
I thank my veterinarian; the profession with the highest su***de rate. I tell her this is the amazing gift we have and the last, most difficult act of love we can do; stopping suffering, preventing suffering. Euthanasia stands for a good death. Animals have it worse than us in every way except for this.
I gave Heros the best life I could. Yes I made mistakes along the way, as like most of us I grew up in the traditional equestrian industry, but this was not one of them. Through our work together we have bettered the life of many horses and their carers. I am grateful for the lessons he has taught us and the person he has made me. His value was however never dependent on what he could do for me. He had a life of his own and whether he had been a winning champion or a feral horse; he had intrinsic value, a right to a good life and a good death.
