04/27/2024
Today I got to help give one of my boarders horses the gift of euthanasia. You might ask how euthanasia is a gift? Well, it is merciful to end suffering or to prevent it from happening. While this is a sad part of my job as a barn manager, trainer, owner, friend, I am honored to be able to help both human and horse through this process.
Let me tell you a true story. . .
Meet Belle and her horse, Enzo. Belle, who is 18yrs old, has been one of my students for 4 years now. Enzo would have been 7yrs old tomorrow, April 27th. He was a beautiful thoroughbred that Belle bought when he was 4yrs old. For the first 1.5yrs Belle owned Enzo, he riding consisted of basic w/t/c and some light jumping. Belle was dedicated to the body work and the groundwork. She did all the things. He got chiropractic work, massage, saddle fit, adequan, all the things, but something was just not quite right. We couldn't constantly get the left lead canter and he started getting fresh on the landing after a jump. Then his feet started doing really weird things. He always had a strange lateral flare on the LF, but even with good hoof care, it got worse. It started to get to the point where I was worried about Belle's safety.
Then I heard about ECVM (Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation). A good friend of mine had a horse that had been recently diagnosed and aged much conversation and research, I suggested we get Enzo evaluated. The xrays confirmed bilateral malformation of C6/C7. Along with kissing spine, along with a malformation of the vertebrae behind the kissing spine. We did shockwave and rested, he was worse under saddle. We did more shockwave,, he still wasn't great. We'd had him evaluated at NC State for kissing some surgery, but he wasn't a candidate because of the malformation behind the kissing spine. Throughout this while time, he was getting restorative bodywork working on straightness and proprioception exercises on the ground. Nothing was working, he was getting worse.
Of course this was devastating for Belle. Enzo was her first horse. So many hopes and dreams. However, she put Enzo first and retired Enzo, at the too young age of 6yrs old. Then over the winter Enzo started showing neurological signs. Very slight, but they were there. He started tripping, less aware of his spacial surroundings. Then in early spring, he started being very aggressive at feeding time and grouchy towards his herd mates. Then the tripping got really bad. Then there was the day that he trotted up for grain and trotted right into me. He had no awareness of his body. He started having trouble with balancing for his trims. The list goes on.
Belle came to me and said she thought it was time to say goodbye. She didn't want Enzo to suffer and we both felt we were getting to that point. So today was the day. He went quickly and so peacefully with Belle right by his side. Stroking him, comforting him the whole time. Knowing that it was the right decision, feeling grateful and at peace, but also so, so sad.
I am so proud of Belle. Through this whole ECVM diagnosis, she has put Enzo first. She did the hard work. She showed up for Enzo even when it wasn't fun. I'm honored to have walked this path with Belle, as her mentor and trainer.
RIP Enzo
April 27, 2017-April 26, 2024
We love you Belleโค๏ธ