A while back I got offered to look after a horse called Polly for a couple of years as the owner was going overseas. She was about 27 years old, which is rather old, but I wasn’t going to be doing anything too strenuous with her so it was ok. We talked to the farmer and he said he was happy with us having a horse here which was good.

 

I went to meet her as she was staying at my riding instructor’s property for the time being, and I got to groom her and spend time with her. I also got to ride her for a little bit. She had a really loving nature and she was really nice to spend time with. 

 

I decided I was going to take her but the owner wanted to come up to our place and see where she was going to be living. The owner came out and she was happy where Polly was going, so then we arranged a day for her to arrive and Julie offered to bring her out for me.

 

When she got here, I was able to just walk her around and show her all the new stuff around here and in her paddock. She seemed to be adjusting really well and happy about everything. I got to groom her and just hang out with her that evening. I finally came inside when it was too dark to see anymore! 

 

That night I decided to sleep out with her so I dragged one of her rugs out there, and wrapped myself up in it, in my sleeping bag! I had a really good night’s sleep and I enjoyed spending it with her. Little did I know.

 

The next morning I took her for a walk down our driveway and around the paddocks. She was really sweet to handle and I even showed Matthew how to put her halter on. 

 

That afternoon I cleaned up some of her gear and while I was out in the garage, I heard her stepping on branches in the paddock. I didn’t think much of it as we have some sticks and branches on the ground in there that she was obviously walking over. However I went to check on her anyway, and I just saw her as she was lying down. I went over to check on her and she didn’t raise her head as I walked over so I immediately thought something was up. I ran inside to tell mum and that was it. Mum spent ages on the phone trying to get ahold of various people and we called the vet as well. 

 

Pretty soon the vet arrived and confirmed my suspicions of colic which can be a very serious illness in animals. There are about 70 different causes for it including just gas, to a twisted gut. The vet said it was the second worst case he had ever seen in his 14 years of being a vet. 

 

He decided that the most humane thing to do was put her down as she was in a lot of pain and distress. It was very hard on all of us but it had to be done sadly. 

 

We cried for ages that evening and dad got really upset about it. I was feeling sad, but quite peaceful actually as I thought of all the things I had been able to do with her in her short stay here. I was able to spend heaps of time with her and give her a full groom down. I was able to spend a whole night in the paddock with her. I was able to walk her down our drive way and up the farm a little way. I was able to ride her at my riding instructor’s place. I was able to plait her mane a little bit. I was able to get some nice photos of her that I will treasure forever. It was one of the best 24 hours of my life. She will always be in my heart.