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Post by SarahW on Apr 11, 2009 9:07:30 GMT 1
I am really sorry to have to tell you, and extremely upset myself, that my beautiful Piper has died. You will recall that Piper was a stallion living on Exmoor until he was eight and then I took him on to avoid him going for meat. He was an extraordinary pony, always wild, always so alive but willing to put a little trust in me and let me touch him and put a headcollar on him although he was desperately afraid. For all the details please go and look at my blogsite - sarahweston.co.uk - and let his legacy be that we should all have the courage to tell experts and professionals to stop and to go away if we sense that things are going wrong.
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Post by wabuska on Apr 11, 2009 9:08:39 GMT 1
Deepest sympathy SarahW. Clearly a wonderful horse.
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Post by Gail&Merlin on Apr 11, 2009 9:19:49 GMT 1
awww bless him, what a shame, RIP Piper, he is truely free now.
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Post by jackiedo on Apr 11, 2009 9:28:20 GMT 1
Sorry to hear this Sarah. I know how distressing this must be. I lost a pony a few years ago after a disagreement about treatment with a vet. However, with his condition he could ave gone any time, you must hang on to that, and it does not have to be stress, it could have been just excitement. I know of a 26 year old lad who just went to work, was in the middle of his tea break, stood up and said, "I feel really..." then died, who had the same condition. Don't apportion this blame on yourself. There really was nothing you could do. xxx
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Post by touchstone on Apr 11, 2009 10:03:59 GMT 1
I agree with Jackiedo, it could have happened at any point and you were all doing the best that you could for him.
He has at least known kindness and love from you, and that is something that can never be destroyed.
He was very beautiful, and in a way I think his beauty is part of that wildness that he had.
Thankyou for sharing his story, it just shows how every single horse can effect our lives so much, they are great teachers and we should be thankful that we have them in our lives.
I hope you are feeling better soon xxx
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equigear
Novice Poster
'If you can't find it within, you'll probably have to go without'
Posts: 16
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Post by equigear on Apr 11, 2009 10:26:18 GMT 1
My thoughts are with you Sarah,
Damian
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Post by Kelly Marks on Apr 11, 2009 10:30:02 GMT 1
Sarah - I'm so sorry to hear about this - I know how fond you were of him. Love and hugs Kelly xx
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2009 10:37:28 GMT 1
I had the privilege of meeting Piper. It's hard to explain sometimes what makes a particular horse or pony special. To their owners, all are. Piper, though, had something else. His presence, his wildness, his pride, his connection with Sarah made Piper somehow above the normal. The hole he has left is huge for those who knew him, and of course for Sarah in particular, but with time it will, I hope, become a monument to him rather than a void.
Sarah is right to highlight Piper's experience as an example of why we should have the courage to question the professionals who work with our horses. If she had stopped to the vet when he was trying to sedate Piper, it may or may not have resulted in a different outcome for him. That we will never know. It would, though, have resulted in Sarah not being left with that feeling of "if only I'd spoken up...".
Horse professionals, be they vets, farriers, RAs, whoever, have a training that we as individuals may not. That does not, though, mean that we do not know our own animals and know what we find acceptable and right for them. We should not allow people to "help" load our horses at shows, or farriers to push them around, or vets to dismiss us as being just ignorant owners. And we should never allow ourselves to feel helpless in their presence. Let us all practice saying "I think we should stop there" and "please don't do that to my horse". If we can learn to do that, then Piper will indeed have left us a noble legacy.
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Post by julz on Apr 11, 2009 11:00:24 GMT 1
Im so sorry, Sarah...
RIP Piper xx
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Post by donnalex on Apr 11, 2009 11:43:41 GMT 1
RIP Piper He wont be scared now.
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Post by K8 on Apr 11, 2009 11:47:45 GMT 1
RIP Piper, Clearly a very special and much loved pony. xxx
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milo
Grand Prix Poster
milo, lily, bob,henry and monty
Posts: 2,704
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Post by milo on Apr 11, 2009 11:57:40 GMT 1
so sorry to hear of your loss, sarah, i know how hard it is,all the best xxjust to add that with your wonderfull advise my 3 rescues are doing brilliantly, even rosie the mum, whose been wild for 9 years of her life will come up now shes still very scared but were getting there and she even let me catch her in the field the other week which was a miracle, so your good work lives on through other ponies if not piper,i'm sure he knew you did your best for him.
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Post by Chestnutmare on Apr 11, 2009 12:04:16 GMT 1
So sad RIP Piper xx
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Post by Catrin on Apr 11, 2009 12:06:13 GMT 1
I'm so sorry to hear that Piper has gone Sarah. In his short time with you, he has at least known a human that showed him respect and he has had his needs cared for. A short time with someone loving who cares, is worth so much more than a long time waiting for the right owner to come along.
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suenf
Advanced Poster
Posts: 427
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Post by suenf on Apr 11, 2009 12:23:57 GMT 1
Oh Sarah, I was so saddened to read this. I don't have much to add to what others have already said. You gave Piper 2 "safe" years and he finally knew human kindness. You know that I am a huge fan of all you do and remember all those ponies that you have saved. Lots of love to you and David.
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