04/20/2022
How do you start a post that says good-bye to one of your beloved Creams? We lost the lovely Princes Buttercup Monday night (18 April, 2022). Her full story is on the MEERS webpage, but she came to us from a 'killpen' auction, blind in one eye, older broodmare. She was with us nearly 10 years and she knew love and comfort here. She found friendship in her barn mate Finn. He warned me at dinner that something was off, he would not eat and demanded out of his stall (not like him) to be with her. She likely passed just after that, and quickly we believe. We think she passed of a brain aneurysm. She had been showing odd neuro-signs the recent couple weeks, but tests did not show anything.
I know we often send our condolences to the humans when loss of a loved one occurs. But I wanted to remind everyone of the bond and connection between horse mates, and the loss they also feel, and how we need to be there for them. I let my horses say good-bye when someone passes here. I find it is necessary for the horses to feel that change - and even "say good-bye" so to speak. Most of my horses do just that. However, depending on their bond, sometimes it is much more than that.
Finn has been at a loss since Buttercup's passing - running to her body and back to me whining non-stop, even 2 days later. He knows where she lays and that she has not 'left' the property (she is buried now and Finn has been to her), and yet he calls for her. His loss makes my heart ache for I cannot give him the comfort he needs or is seeking. Buttercup is resting, Finn will move on-I hope, but at this moment, he is a lost soul. The other horses have nudged him is acts of comfort, yet he continues to call for Buttercup. I hope he builds a bond with one of the other horses, but for now I will attempt to soothe his heart the best I can as the human who has vowed to care for him through the ups and downs. It is never about what he gives me, but what I can provide him to make his live whole.
Please remember they are such sensitive beings and they often feel far more then we can ever imagine or feel ourselves.
Good-bye my beautiful Buttercup, tell Finn you are really okay....
