Phoenix Rising Stables

17/12/2024

Blue Moon 🌖

14/12/2024

The Phoenix...🐦‍🔥... thanks to Tom Batstone for the share. 🫶🏻

10/12/2024

Freddy and Poppy 🥰🐴🥰

10/12/2024

💔 😢🐴

What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.

It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.

The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.

Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.

It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.

It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author

08/12/2024

06/12/2024

Captured this at night check. I’m pretty sure P wanted me to send this to her Mom. 🤣🐴 👅 🐴 For the record…Poppy is NOT for sale! 🥲

04/12/2024

A fun filled day of puppies and ponies! 🥰🐴🐾🐴🥰

29/11/2024

Horses have physiological mechanisms for maintaining a stable core body temperature across various climates. 🌡️ When temperatures rise, sweating helps dissipate excess heat. In colder conditions, horses preserve and generate warmth through:
🌾 Digestion and fermentation
❄️ Shivering
💪 Altered metabolism
🐴 Changing behavior
🧥 Growth of a thicker winter coat

These natural adaptations help horses remain comfortable and healthy in changing seasons.

Learn more about keeping your horse healthy in the winter in our article:
🇨🇦https://madbarn.ca/feed-horse-in-winter/
🇺🇲https://madbarn.com/feed-horse-in-winter/

22/11/2024

Brandi & Beau 💖

21/11/2024

So many Civics at PRS! 🥲🐴🤣

21/11/2024

Poppy and Freddy. 🥹🐴🥹 P is looking so grown up! 🥲

21/11/2024

Sealy girl!🐴 🦭🐴 so pretty!

21/11/2024

It’s pedicure day for the ponies, so that means that Kaizer gets to have a play date with Brokkr. Brokkr is growing like a w**d! 🥹 🐾 💖 photo credit Allison Fudge🫶🏻