my mare. It was a SHOCK to me how fast she was gone...poor baby fought hard. My hubby and I decided to open the bottom paddock because the person caring for the horses (neighbor) is lazy and we wanted to be sure they had water. We have had lots of rain and keeping up with the fields has been a chore. We had cut the bottom paddock about 2 weeks back and there were clumps of dead grass. Apparently they can get botulism poisonings from rotting grass. With all the grass in that field why would they even eat it. Long story short, we opened the gate Friday night and on Sunday we noticed her laying down but as soon as my hubby said her name, she got up and nickered. Shortly after she laid back down. When my hubby fed that night she came in and appeared normal. Monday morning we called the vet who mis-diagnosed her stating she had severe laminitis because she had difficulty walking and muscle tremors. I checked on her often that day and noticed when she stood she went directly to her water but the level never went down. That night I went over at midnight and she was down. By morning she could not lift her head or get up. It was AWFUL! I feel horrible that she died like this. I called the vet at 6:30am and another in the practice that lives down the road from me came and immediately told me it was botulism. I let her go. She is buried on my place where she was born 21 years ago. Irwin is now an only child. I am looking at getting him a goat for company or asking my neighbor if I can borrow their miniature donkey. I will assume the care/vet/blacksmith. They don't do any of that for him.

You all take care. I cannot wait to walk along the ocean tomorrow.