Desert Jewel. He was kind, willing, and intelligent beyond his years. Zeus was lost to a condition called Sand Colic. He survived surgery but was taken several days later due to complications. We'd like to thank the staff and speacialists of Chaparral Animal Hospital for all they did for our sweet boy. We will miss you always!
This page is dedicated to those we have loved and lost.
May you live on in our hearts forever.
Until we meet again...
The first foal of 2007, Dottie was everything we could have wanted. Sweet natured, curious, and brave, Dottie was filled with gentle enthusiasm. Dottie was born with a minor condition called an Umbilical Hernia.
for reduction of the hernia. After the 30 minute procedure, it was discovered that she had developed a very rare complication called Postanesthetic Hemorrhagic Myelomalacia
Efforts were made to save her but in the end, we chose to let her go peacefully. We will forever miss your gentle spirit!
Gabe was one of the last foals of 2007. At 24 hours, he was just not thriving as well as we would have liked. He was transported to
for evaluation and treatment. Aggressive care was initiated and fluids along with IV nutrition and plasma were given. After a few days, he showed minor improvement but it was an uphill battle that he wasn't prepared to fight. He died peacefully in the arms of those who loved him. While his time with us was short, we will still miss his strong spirit and kind eyes.
Fable's filly, a tri-colored bay we named Angel (no picture available) was our first foal death of 2008. Both premature and malpresented, Angel's life could not be saved. We are blessed to have not lost Fable. Thanks to Kim's quick actions, the filly was repositioned and delivered without injury to our sweet mare. A reminder to us all that deliveries should always be supervised whenever possible.
The world lost a truly incredible stallion when Bear crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. While Bear wasn't taken from this earth suddenly or tragically, the heart break is still just as strong. A little over a year ago, Bear started having trouble keeping weight on. He would tire easily during his workout sessions and he was not his bright and normal self. After several tests including a bone scan, Bear was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called plasma cell myeloma (aka multiple myeloma). With medications and care, he was able to spend his last year of life with his family and those who loved him. Bear will be forever missed by all who knew him. His spirit lives on through his noble offspring.
On November 29, 2010, we said goodbye to one of the gentlest giants we have ever known. Gronant Sir Joseph (Joey to those who adored him) was taken at the tender age of 5. Saturday morning, Joey only nibbled at his breakfast. Banamine helped a little with the discomfort, but he was clearly not himself. We took our big boy to Southwest Equine Medical & Surgical Center where it was determined that surgery was needed. Little did anyone know how severe the damage really was. Joey had a type of colic that was known as Epiploic Foramen Entrapment. His ilium had become trapped in the tiny space that doctors like to refer to as the horse's natural internal defect...it is an area where the caudate lobe of the liver, inferior vena cava, hepatic portal vein, and the pancreas come together to form a small triangular hole. If the bowel gets trapped, it's usually a grave prognosis unless surgery is immediate. They were able to remove the damaged portion and attach the duodenum to the cecum but the post surgical risks included adhesions, poor gut motility and other various challenges. Day 1 post op was good, painful but up and walking outside...talking to the ladies. But by the end of day 2, Joey was losing the battle. His motility was non existent and the fluid was building up in his intestines. We decided to let him go peacefully and elected humane euthanasia. Joey will forever live on in our heart and will be truly missed by all who loved him.
