George - My Pony who taught me the most!

[Tinker(France)]

I thought i would post on here as George deserves the recognition for being the most kindest, genuine and forgiving pony ever!!

George passed away this afternoon as I couldn't see him suffer after all he had gone through in his life.

George came from mainly a riding school background and had taught so many to ride, won rosettes for so many kids.. worked so hard throughout his life.

When he came to me, you name it he had it.. i posted on here so many times about him.. and got some wonderful advice! Cancer, COPD, heart murmur.. broken winded.. severely depressed.. with a poor prognosis!

We prepared ourselves and treasured every minute, however, going strength to strength he was like any other pony.. retired, alpha in our herd for a time being.. found himself special relationships with both my shetland pepsi and his bestest pal Taz who he would spend hours grooming with..



.. he spent the last 3 years being a horse, living a natural life where he was asked to do nothing but be a horse.. he was only treated with kindness and even when having the farrier.. he was showered with treats.. even though he would have stood still anyway.. but everything we asked of George.. was asked.. if he didn't want to do it.. he wasn't forced..

George taught us so much about how stress can manifest into physical problems.. also, how giving a holisitic approach to management and training, you can allow a horse to have a great quality of life!

George was the chap in our herd who welcomed newcomers.. he was our third in the herd.. and so, with Pepsi, Balloo and Charlie he was fantastic! Even when Charlie joined us (the little spotted shetland "stallion" who was looking for a home on here) George was so good at ignoring and teaching Charlie (the "kids") how to speak horse.

George taught me about how Sh*t a horses life can be.. and how as a horse owner and trainer you must appreciate everything we ask of them. We let George have his own voice.. and a choice.. ! If George didn't want his feet picked out.. fine.. if George didn't want to go somewhere.. George didn't!.. lol.. by doing this.. George got a bit of control back in his life, which after so many years being dominated this is what he desparately needed. (I am not advocating this to everyone.. just with George this is how we kept him from sinking into his former depression.

George never had the chance to have proper stable bonds, and it took him a while, but once he realised how lovely mutual grooming was there was no stopping him.. Also, when we found his special itchy spot.. that was it!

Sadly, today, his fight came to an end.. We had noticed his tumour under his chin getting bigger.. as well as a couple around his sheath.. but, as our vet said.. because they had spread.. they were maligant and had probably invaded his internal organs.

We noticed he wasn't right last night and this morning the vet came up.. said we had two choices, pts there and then or try.. however, when he administered the injections Georges legs buckled.. he hated vets.. this was heart breaking!

He picked up a little, so i took him into a new field full of grass to tempt him to eat.. as he just wouldn't eat!.. He was in great pain, his heart racing.. he was blowing... shifting.. and walking backwards..! I checked on him every hour, then made the decision. It was time to say good bye.. he had enough. My vet reckoned he would not have lived much longer and would have probably died during the night. He looked like he was slowly dying.. I couldn't see him suffer and get worse.

We will never know exactly where the pain was from, but, it became apparent that he had internal tumours. It also became apparent he was a good few years older than what we thought..

In his time with us George always looked like he was smiling and i have a picture where he actually looks angelic! Thats exactly what George was an angel.

... I have just remembered on my digi camera i took pics yesterday afternoon of George and my other horse Taz meeting our dog.. the sun was shining.. the grass was lovely.. and he looked happy and amazing.

As he died today I was kissing and hugging him.. as well as letting him nibble on his favourite biscuit which he managed a little... this evening the boys are so subdued.. my youngster was in a frenzie and my shetlands dont know what went on as they sadly watched George. Extra fuss tomorrow.

We are in a forest so very spooky.. and as I thought about George tonight the moon came over a tree.. it looked magical and so peaceful.. It eased a bit for me to imagine that he was now running free.. free from cancer.. the stress.. but, that he is always going to be around.

He is going to be forever in my thoughts.. forever with us.. and I am so privaledged that I owned this horse as like i said... the most geniune, forgiving pony.. who captivated everyone who met him! I even had a very non horsey friend come up who remarked that he looked like he was smiling.. he just had that aura!

He will always hold that special place in our hearts.. but i do hope the pain of losing him with subside and I can feel proud to have had him... Washington George, you were a legend and I love you.. may you run free without your lumps and bumps..

RIP George Boy

Love and special place scratches forever!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS: George is having his own myspace, in the hope that his story can will people to donate to horse charities to allow old ponies to have the luxury life in their twillight years

[alison]

It's never a easy decision to make, but a decision we have to make at some stage.
My friend had to have her horse put to sleep in June. The mare was 35 years old, and Kate couldn't bare to see her horse suffer. It was not easy to let her go, but harder to watch her suffer.
Like George, the mare was lead to a field, for a peaceful passing. Starry knew her time had come, she lay with her head on Kate's knee, while Kate kissed her head.
Kate has fond memories and knows that Starry wanted for nothing. They had been together for 30 years!

You will forever have your memories of George, and the pictures to look at.
He reminds me of a pony we had on our yard, who unfortunately passed away last November.

Take care Tinker and may you rest in peace George!

Alison xx

[sulasmum]

Beautifully put Tinker, George was obviously someone very special. RIP

[VictoriaA]

The oldies are the best, I lost my old girl Beauty almost 4 years ago, she was 39, did well until the end then colicked, went down in her stable and couldn't get back up. I don't think I have ever cried as much as I did that day. She came to retire with us at age 28 from a riding school where she'd been on loan from the family who'd owned her since she was young, but the school were overworking her for her age and they wanted a quiet retirement for her. So she became my pony Ollie's companion, then Willow's 'aunty' later on. She was headshy when she came and a bit nervous but relaxed into the sweetest pony ever, and she is still sorely missed to this day.

Remember the good times Tinker, that pain fades after a while but you never stop missing them (or crying when reading threads like this).

Sweet dreams George

[monet]

Laura in your beautiful tribute to George you summed up everything i believe in. he could not have had a better retirement love care and special attention.

i can see him now being greeted by past friends my guys and past friends and family at rainbow bridge.

rest in peace smiley George. xxx

[EMW-UK]

Laura, How sad and bittersweet a story.. RIP dear old George...no more pain old lad.
What you describe is how many of the oldies come to us at EMW. Old and tired, forlorn, bewildered, unsure, used and abused.... we too endeavour to give them back dignity, friendship and choice... what other way is there to be.......
bless you sweetheart for caring enough... Goerge was lucky to have found you when he did..
emw x

[Tinker(France)]

Well.. i went out last night very late to check on the boys again, they were all huddled together under the trees, so peaceful and the scenary was mystical.. the stars and moon etc. Such a clear night. A feeling I will always remember when i think of George. I kept expecting him to be there this morning, it was horrible.. my heart tugs when i think of him.. (

This morning, we got up at about 5.. the boys were still huddled together, showing lots of cohesive behaviours.. lots of grooming, sniffing and dozing together.. we then decided to let them into the grass paddock where George passed away and my youngster is still looking for him.. Taz spent a lot of time with George and they were always grooming.

I guess we could be interpret it the wrong way, but, they are so subdued and have all just left the grass paddock to come back up to our garden field infront of me.. which they have trashed!!.. When i look at the 5 of them it is horrible.. they are sticking together and there is just one big part missing.. George.. it feels like the paddocks are so empty without him. x

[Louise C]

RIP George - Tinker you have done so well with him, he obviously appreciated his last years with you.

[sandy]

Rest in peace dear George.

[Nicola]

a beautiful tribute tinker to a obviously very special pony.

The most difficult desion and a great act of love. though it breaks you own heart, he is comfortable, young and free from pain now.

My thoughts are with you
xxxxx

[specialsparkle3]

My thoughts are with you Tinker and I share your grief, maybe Birdie and George have met at Rainbow Bridge. I do hope so.

[wills]

R.I.P George.

You made the best desicion and the hardest one for him Tinker, I remember very clearly when we had to get my old pony pts, we only had him for a year, but i hope it was one of the happiest he ever had, he spent his time being pampered and showered with love, in the end we lost him to colic,his kidneys were failing, i dont think ive ever criedso much in all my life, and it stills pulls on my heart when i think of him May George,Birdie, Willow and all the rest be running free and happy x

[jacs]

I was lucky to meet George a few times and he was a lovely sweet natured horse. I was really sorry to hear of his passing Tinker, he was a special boy. take care xxxx