Losing a horse: reflecting on a personal experience

There is a special bond between a rider and their horse, and when that bond is broken, it is difficult to cope with the loss, writes Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac

July was a difficult month. On the 6th I was called to our farm by the groom, who reported that my favourite broodmare, Magnum with Style, stable name Leah, was refusing to eat. When I arrived, the groom was holding her. Her head was hanging and it was slightly swollen.

On examination, I found her gums indicated anaemia, while her pulse and heart rate were above normal.

She was four months pregnant and her last foal, a colt, was standing close to her, looking bewildered. We put him out in the pasture with his buddies while we treated her. Fortunately, he was nearly six months old and had started weaning himself, so could cope away from his mother.