Saturday, May 8, 2010

Providence

Sad news from Shiloh this morning as Sanctuary Horse, Providence passed away last night. Provie is the horse with the trach and we have been watching him closely the past few weeks. His growths that were visible to the eye (in his throat latch and his chest) had gotten bigger and we suspected that he had more growths inside that could not be seen.

With our vet, we had made the decision that Provie would have to be put down very soon, but last night, he passed on naturally. There was no sign of a struggle, and it was most likely a heart attack and he passed away with his friend, Vista, next to him.

Providence was with us for years after being rescued from a slaughter auction. He was well loved and we will miss his sweet face and fiesty nature. Even with his trach, Provie was happy and interested right up to the end. He had a great appetite and was always eating but had been having a hard time maintaining his weight due to his medical problems. He always stood still and patiently as we changed out his trach twice a day, we didn't even need to put a halter on him to do it. He was so good about it that even volunteers were able to change it.

Towards the end, he was being treated with steroid shots to keep his appetite up and to generally help him feel better. They made him feel so good that, at times, he thought he was a young stud and would chase his best friend, Vista, around the pen. We always had to just laugh...



Rest in peace, Providence.

- Posted from the road on my iPhone!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You will be dearly missed, Providence.

Green Acres Equine Sanctuary said...

On behalf of myself and the horses here at Green Acres Equine Sanctuary I send condolences to all of you there. I know Providence will be missed by all but you can rest easy knowing that he along with others will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge in a green pasture with cool clear water until that day when we all cross that bridge together.

Dwayne Gillispie

Elaine said...

Yes, we will miss you Providence, such a sweet guy.

Mikey said...

Aww, what a great old horse. You will be missed Providence!

Beanie Mouse said...

Ooohhhh, bye Provi!!

Jackie said...

So sorry for the loss!

helga said...

I had a feeling last week when I spend some time with him that he was not going to be with us much longer. I am sad, and will miss him, he had just such a wonderful spirit :) Rest in peace friend ...