03/08/2025
Barn family, I am sharing this update below that was posted to the private boarder page. There aren’t words to appropriately capture the devastation of the last week.
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I don’t even know how or where to begin this update. The events of the last 7 days are something that we all are still processing. It’s been hard to gather my thoughts coherently to put this together, but here it goes…
As you all know Lightfoot crashed hard on Monday night. He was battling antibiotic induced colitis following his nasal flap surgery, and we devastatingly had to make the choice to let him go on Monday evening after a rapid decline that could not be controlled with medication. I have all of the respect in the world for Aimee, as she went further than many of us could go to try and save him. An 8 day clinic stay followed by intense palliative care at home. Despite the Herculean efforts, it was apparently his time to be called home. Hearts are still raw and hurting from this goodbye.
Separately from this, on Saturday morning (so, 2 days prior) Wren’s new horse Ruby was showing signs of early colic- not wanting breakfast, acting lethargic. As posted previously, the vet came out and diagnosed her not as colicing, but as pregnant! While it was a shock, it was ultimately seen and felt by the Osters and our family as a huge joy! We set up a foaling stall, as her symptoms began to point to her being further along than initially thought. The vet let us know that ultrasounds are very unreliable late in pregnancy and she very well could be close. We installed a baby monitor, and got prepared to bring a baby into the world! The Osters ran out to purchase a foaling kit and we spent hours watching birth videos. Monday night and Tuesday night consisted of middle of the night checks as we thought she may be in the early stages of labor. 
Wednesday morning, she seemed more painful than previously. She was lethargic, and we reached out to the vet who agreed to come out and check to make sure everything was progressing normally. When they arrived her heart rate was more elevated than they would expect, even in labor. After a full work up, we were informed that Ruby was not in fact pregnant and was actually experiencing Enteritis, a life threatening inflammation of her small intestine. Additionally, her large colon was displaced. Facedwith a decision that felt surreal and incomprehensible (2 hours prior we thought we were about to have a foal), and 2 days prior we lost Lightfoot, the Osters made the brave and generous decision to bring her to Brazos in an attempt to save her.
Unfortunately, Ruby did not respond to treatment as hoped and was humanely euthanized on Thursday.
The unbelievability of these losses back to back have us shaken to the very core. We’ve discussed at length with Dr Ashbrook of Brazos, Dr Remi of Brazos, and Dr Sprinkle of Healing Hands any potential links between these losses. A pathogen on the farm? Contaminated feed? Parasites? Virus? All 3 vets have vehemently stated that they believe both were losses common to senior horses, and that they do not believe a link is plausible. Both horses were tested for Salmonella while at Brazos (a bacteria that can cause both Colitis & Enteritis) but both Ruby & Lightfoot were salmonella negative.
A necropsy was performed on Ruby revealing lesions in her small intestine that have likely been brewing for a long time due to an inflammatory condition, or cancer. They are performing a toxicology which will hopefully rule out any toxin present in her body.
I don’t have an eloquent description for the last 7 days. Heartbreak on top of heartbreak. Please hold the two precious young girls in your prayers (Gaia & Wren) who lost their believed horses.
An intimate, family-run barn located in Liberty Hill, TX offering boarding & western riding lessons.
