How do I get through this?

I am so completely sorry. I know nothing we all say will help much, but just know we all feel horrible for you.

At the barn where I've worked for the last five years and kept my own mare at, we have a few horses with some serious health issues. My boss and barn owner likes to take in horses that others either abandon or cannot afford. One mare we had, a 33 year old TWH had a serious hock injury when she was in her twenties. The owners just didn't want her anymore, they were going to sell her to the kill pen. She was a complete saint of a horse and had a temperament to die for. My boss took her in and had her double checked by our vet. Vet said she was obviously lame, but was sound enough to carry anything under 100 lbs at a walk. One of the women I worked with has a handicapped son. So, for 4 years we did therapy rides with the mare and the little boy. Granny, the mare, passed away last winter when she laid down to sleep at night in her stall, apparently kicked the wall in the morning when she tried to get up and refractured the lame hock, and had to be put down. But Garth, the boy, is now able to stand up on his own and is almost able to walk now. His doctors say it's a huge help from the riding sessions.

Just remember that every horse has it's purpose.

And once again, I am horribly sorry about Rebel.

I am so sorry to hear about your G pa and your horse. But if the vet said he could no longer be ridden, it would be great if you had a green grassy pasture you could put him in for keeps. With the economy the way it is if you do not have some place to keep him for free you should think of your other options. If he can walk without hurting he may could be used as a therapy horse for handicap kids, they generally just walk around.

You cannot show a even little bit lame horse in any class, the judges would give you the gate when he first saw him.

I am really sorry to hear about all the curves life has thrown at you lately. This sounds horrible. As for what Rebel can do with his life instead of sitting in a pasture? Get involved with special needs or handicapped children, some cant ride and just being around a kind horse they can brush and feed can really help these kids. I hope things turn up for you. Just remember, if things weren't hard, they wouldnt be worth doing.

What do you do? You cry. You feel sorry for yourself. You have what my friend calls a pity party and get all of your emotions and "it's not fair" stuff out.

Then you move on. You pick yourself up by the bootstraps and put one foot in front of the other and step back into life again.

That is an old person telling you how to deal with life's tragedies, death, illnesses and disasters.

If he is not suited for therapeutic riding, how about something like a big sister program? If there is a disadvantaged kid in your community that wants to hang out with horses, could you and he be her mentors? Imagine what this setback in your life could mean if you discovered new reasons to help others from it.

This is horrible...I am so sorry. My grandpa died in July of this year...and I really miss him. And today my mom had a surgery, but thank goodness she's all right...I have never owned a horse, but I work for my trainer and he lets me ride for free. I have fallen in love with this little horse named Buttercup. Before Butter, I loved this horse named Jamie. He was the horse who really taught me the basics of riding. He was sweet, loving, and adorable. But then, he started getting sick. I had to change his bandages that held his medication on and keep a fan blowing outside his stall. He died eventually, and I was heartbroken. Butterboo has helped me so much. She has taught me to jump and I can't imagine what I'd do if she died or was injured. She feels like she's my horse. I hope you will find a way, and just remember people out there have it worse sometimes. We all get through :) Rebel will always be there to talk to and love, and he will always love you. That's why animals are so great. They don't judge or yell or critizize you. :) Good luck with Rebel :)

Aw I'm really sorry about ur horse! At least now he won't be in pain anymore because you know. And I know this probly will sound horrible but u'll find another horse. I know he won't be the same but now u can give ur horse a friend. I am uterly and completely jelious of u because I can't get a horse so just think ofhow lucky u are!! I'm not sure what u should get him to do nowThough...

Walk him around and spent time with him. Read to him and talk to him. Go to him to share your feelings.. Horses aren't only there for riding. Try getting him a buddy so he can be happy for the rest of his years (even if those years are extremely long & he can't ride with them) and also make sure you give him special attention, since the others have the exception of being able to be ridden.

Don't worry, at least he is alive and well. I had a pony named Lightning (which we all called Pony anyway) who was worked very hard in Circus' and such. When we got him, only a few years later did we find he had cushions disease.. and he went through pain with every step he took. We fed him alfalfa and all but it was too late, we had to put him down.

I think you'll be fine. He just has one less option to deal with. Remember that he will always be in your heart, and I think you will always think of him when you ride. Trust me, he and you are going to be happy.

Oh my gosh! I fell so bad! I am sorry to hear that. You and your horse can do a lot of fun stuff together even if you can't ride him. :) So don't feel bad! You can even enter shows with him still! You could do halter classes! Halter classes can be really fun you get to make him look all pretty! You could even take him to places where old or unable people are to make there day! I hope ithis makes ya feel better! :)

He sounds like an amazing horse, and you sound like an amazing owner for not being like anyone else who would just leave him to pasture and get a new horse. You could always halter show! There are many famous horses who have shown in that area! Maybe you could breed him?

This summer the same thing happened to me (almost) I was riding the horse I had been leasing for a long time, she was my BEST friend EVER and then, one day I was told I could never ride her again. Lucky for me, my best friend owned and her and took me to see her. Try just spending time with him, grooming him and walking with him. If you can;t ride him at least bond with him and love him, he needs a friend right now as much as you do.