11/09/2025
We received an emergency call regarding a 92 year old woman who suffered a stroke and had to be hospitalized, leaving behind her beloved senior pony Abigail. Through a series of unfortunate events, 30+ year old Abigail landed with a horse dealer. We normally discourage relocating such aged equines, they don't adapt well, they stress easily, and may not receive the same level of care they are accustomed to or need. In this case, the pony was already displaced and needed a soft landing so she was coming "home" to ERR. Thank you to Little Brook Farm for working with us on this, and special thanks to a kind woman named Susan who reached out to find Abigail safety and security. Susan you were not only being an advocate for Abigail but you stayed with her so she was not alone in a strange place at the end of her journey, and for that we are grateful. We share all of this information, hoping it will give people the opportunity to pause and consider what is kind, responsible and compassionate when considering how to handle the disposition of senior horses.
Abigail was euthanized this morning.
This situation was caused by the daughter who's 92 year old mother, Abigail's owner, had had a stroke. Instead of doing right by this elderly pony, she had a dealer come pick her up. The stress of leaving all that was familiar, her advanced age with all of her specific dietary requirements, caused the crisis that took place overnight.
We had arranged to have her picked up this morning at 8am but she was found down, too exhausted to get up. Cornell was called immediately but didn't arrive until 9:30. Susan, who was acting on Abigail's behalf, was waiting with her.
The vet found her gums purple, a temp of 97 and significant noise when listening to her breathe. She also examined her mouth; no insisors, only a few molars and a loose tooth that was imbedded in her cheek and was infected. I asked for an ultrasound which found fluid in her chest. After giving a full dose of Banamine, her pulse was still 108.
She suffered needlessly. If the daughter couldn't care for her at Abigail's own home, she should have done the right thing and had her euthanized there. That poor pony left with a stranger to an unfamiliar place. Giving away/selling seniors in their late 30s is irresponsible and certainly in this case, cruel.
For those who contributed towards Abigail, I'll have an emergency vet bill to cover but no transportation cost.
Thank you to Colleen, with Equine Rescue Resourse, who was planning to take her this morning, and, of course, Susan, as well everyone who cared and contributed.
Hopefully someone may read this and make a more humane decision for their elderly horse. Horses live in the present. Allowing a vet to let them pass surrounded by familiarity is kinder than the uncertainty of "giving them a chance" - even the slightest risk that they may suffer is not worth taking.
Most of the good rescues who are asked to take in horses 30+ years old will diplomatically recommend the owner put their horse down at it's own home - nobody wants to see any horse end up like this pony. As emotional as it is for us, you need to protect your old guys.
