OK This is so hard to say..

We had to put Tucker down on Friday. Lord, This is hard to put on here.
Got home thursday night to get shoes put on him, went down to the pasture and As soon as I saw him, I knew I was in big trouble. Had to whip him to get him up. Temp 106, hosed him off, bute and banimine, temp came down to 103.5 Ok, maybe heat stroke? No sign of colic. Gums PURPLE, Not red PURPLE. Crap! He was dried off now, Big fan on him. Not sweating, no signs of stress. Very little gut sounds. Lord, what is this. Called the vet. She comes out. Palpates him. She says the intestine has floated up over his spleen.

We take off to an equine surgury center 3 hours away. The ride sometimes will jar the intestine off the spleen. I know this. But there is also a new shot that shinks the spleen and allows it to slide off. Our vet doesnt have that shot. But were suppose to have it. Its 2:00 AM now.

We get there he gets off the trailer, nickers to the other horses and acts like he is tired but fine. The ER Vet says, well looks like hes feeling better, looks like somemore meds and he will be fine. She takes his temp. 104.2
Heart rate 105. Palpates him, His colon is against his Spin. She looks at us and says, He is in so much pain right now, he should be throwing himself against the walls, no he is standing there with his head against my chest so I can wrap my arms around him. The blood work comes back white cell count 85, She is puzzled. He hits the ground now. In shock. He is Toxic. Cant have surgery. If they would try surgery at this point At least 9000.00, 25% chanch of living. Most likely would die on the table.

I cant stand seeing him like this. Put him down. She tried a couple more things, to no help. Bless his heart just get him out of pain.

He stands up for us walks out of the barn.

Oh MY GOSH! How awful poor guy... what do they think hsppened to caused all that?

Wow... im so sorry for yall and Tucker. At least hes out of pain and you know you did the right thing.

I hate this for you guys. He was such a gorgeous boy!!

denise

Oh my God, I'm so sorry....I don't even have words.

again I am terribly sorry to hear this. Tucker seemed like such a great boy. From what you've said he sounds like he was a pretty smart horse and stayed calm throughout it all. It's so sad to hear that he's passed on.

I am very, very sorry for your loss. It's one of the hardest things we have to deal with when we have horses in our families. I'll remember you and Tucker in my prayers but take comfort in the thought that he's in a better place.

"God forbid that I should go to any heaven where there are no horses."
R. B. Cunningham Graham

Michael/Smokey

OMG, IM so sorry to hear about this. that is so terrible!!!! my thoughts and prayers are with you!

I'm so sorry this happend!

He knew he was loved right up to the end -- he loved you too and now he isn't in pain.

I'm sorry for your loss

Tucker is galloping up in heaven

OH i am so sorry for you. this must be so hard on you! you are in my prayers!!!

If there is anything i can do, please let me know. again, i'm very sorry.

Jordan

There are no words to say except we are all thinking about you and what you are going through. I have felt this pain myself and it breaks my heart not even knowing him. I know how your heart breaks and the lump in your throat.

Our animals are our family and we grieve for them. Try to remember the happy times and that you had the courage to let him go. That courage comes with love and un selfishness. Take some time to reflect, do not blame yourself and feel the love. Thank Tucker and the Lord for the gift he gave you this year with a colt. He is with the Lord now and running free as horses were meant to be..

It just so happens that I have a Tucker up there running around with your Tucker. When ever I hear that name I think of that colt. Still hard to look at his pictures and he has been gone for a few years now.. He too was in a lot of pain as well. I bet they are talking about how they have the same name and what a wonderful place they are now?

I am so sorry. Tucker was a beautiful horse. What a tragedy to lose him so young. At least he is now in a better place and feels no pain.

I am so sorry words are so little when we wish we could take some of your pain for you. He was such a beautiful animal. Such a shame to loose him so young! At least you have his magnicifent colt this year to carry on his line and your dreams you had for him. Probably doesn't help much right now but in time it will- remember you did everything for that animal and I only wish we treated our people as well as we do our four legged family members. Hugs from KS! Wishing I could do something for you....

I'm so sorry for you!!! Words cannot express my sympathy. It's so much harder to take, I think, when it is so unexpected.
He was gorgeous and well-loved, and you tried as hard as possible to save him. I know many tough decisions were made, and I think you made the right ones under the circumstances. Much love and prayers.

This was all caused from a infection of the intestine. This type, a long word that I cant remember. It just was not important to me at the moment. Causes the intestine to fill with gas. They fill up so much that it causes several twists. Several. It was so full it caused his colon to be pushed up against his spine causing him to drag his hind feet. Most horses will have runny stools and show pain before it gets to the point Tucker did. He had no Runny stools, Never showing any pain. The vet said he had such a high tolerance for pain that is why we did not see any signs. They kept telling us he should be throwing himself against the walls he should be in so much pain. Not even a sweat. Not a tail twitch. By time he told us he was sick it was to late. Thank you All. Its silly how attached we get, Isn't it? But we just and resist those big soft eyes can we? Tuckers Foal looks so much like him in the face, Everytime I look in at him, it almost breaks my heart. I called Shelia last night, and we talked. Im keeping him as a GELDING. No more studs for awhile. More than likely a good while. Not because Tucker died, it has nothing to do with the illness, it has to do with the time they require in order to do it right. Again Thank you all. Wish I could tell you the signs to look for, but in a horse like him, there just isnt any.

I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a beautiful boy, he was lucky to have you to take care of him.

I am so sorry to hear this!

I am glad you have a little piece of tucker to hold onto. I can't even imagine the saddness this would bring.... My thoughts are with you and your family, and tucker at this time..

Even if he did have a high pain tolerance.. by the time he was at the vets, I think he knew the outcome... and just wanted to be held in your arms for a little longer before he let go....

He was so lucky to have you... again, my thoughts are with you...and I am sorry for your loss

oh ! i am so sorry about your terrible loss.
i hope you know that we are all here for you!

At times like these we are all at a loss for words. Just remember, we are all here for you. God bless Tucker and you and your family.

Kay-
So sorry for your loss. So many good horses have crossed over this year, the shows in Heaven must really be something.

Sheree & Janie

im so sorry for your loss.I cried when i read that. rest in peace tucker:pray:

I haven't been on in awhile- but saw this and I am SO sorry for your loss. What a horrible shock. As others have said, he is not in any more pain.