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Tami was put down on Saturday, 19 September 2009. She wasn't right on Friday, so the decision was made. Tami spent the night in the race (her choice) while the others (Bella, Layla, Eden) left her to be in the paddock (our horses often have a paddock and the race).
Tami was PTS and buried in the back paddock. Bella, Layla and Eden were in back right paddock so would have seen what happened.
I know there are several schools of thought on the situation - one being that the horses are separated and don't know what happens; the horses are in the vicinity and can see/watch; and the horses are let into the same paddock to say their farewells.
I'm not sure which is the best option and I think there would be a different 'best option' for different horses/scenarios.
I have definitely noticed a difference in Bella - she used to be quite 'chatty', would always whinny when she saw me. She has been very quiet, I've only heard her whinny once since Tami went. She is fine in all other respects - is eating, drinking and doing all horsy things, but is quiet.
Pic is of Splash and Bella grazing 6 September - they're not related (the only breed they have in common is TB - Splash 1/2 and Bella 1/4), they just spookily look alike. Both are way purdier than they look in this pic.
Bella approx 12.3hh, Splash 16.2ish.
I haven't done much with Bella lately, other than hay her daily, give her a cuddle and a scratch, and make sure all four legs are attached and not damaged. She is still my little ray of sunshine - always happy to see me (or is it the hay?) and loves a cuddle and scratch/groom.
We had some spring sun recently so I took all their rugs off. Bella is hilarious when I do that - she always turns both ways and looks at both sides of herself with an astonished look on her face: "oooh, I have a body". She is learning about horse behaviour and is always keen to groom another horse. Splash and Layla aren't so welcoming to that - Splash would dearly love to eat her while Layla considers herself to be a VIP (Very Important Porse) and doesn't appreciate Bella stepping into what she perceives as her spotlight.
Anyways, I worked Splash the other day and realised I haven't done anything with Bella for a while (I think the last time she had some attention was having her hoovies filed in August) so thought I'd introduce her to being tied up. I finished with Splash so tied her in the yard with a slice of hay. I went and caught Bella (always difficult - not) and led her up to the yard (leading is something I haven't done with her for a while either, lol). She wasn't keen on going through the pen due to it being muddy so I led her through the race, into the paddock and into the yard.
I tied her (quick release as always) to some twine (as a side rave, it grinds my gears when people bring a broken halter or lead back to mum's shop, complain its broken and want it replaced. Newsflash - it is called horse power for a reason! Half a ton of horse (or thereabouts) that pulls back is going to result in a broken halter, lead or neck - pick your poison).
I took her rug off and groomed her then faffed about changing rugs on the others. Granted, she had a slice of hay and could see all the other horses but I wasn't there holding her hoof all the time. She did move around a little, not to pull back but more to check the 'boundaries'. She stepped back, but it was very measured. I simply told her to get up and she stepped forward. Good baby!!
She is such a super girl - tends to learn something after one lesson. Having said that, I don't consider that one lesson has taught her to be tied up, and will reiterate that lesson some more.
Her next lessons will be better leading (I hope to do some inhand shows with her this season) and loading on the truck...
