Goldie, our beautiful palomino mare, died suddenly in late July. On Saturday, the day before, she was one hundred percent Goldie: happy to eat her breakfast and go out into the pasture with the other horses. My horse helper, Madeline, and I both spent time with Goldie and noticed nothing amiss. At dinner time she was at the gate, ready to come in and eat, and as usual vying with our mare, Meadow, to come in first!

When I got out to the barn at about 6:30 on Sunday morning and started to collect the feed buckets, I slid open the door to Goldie’s stall and found her lying there, her life gone. She had finished her dinner, and there was plenty of manure in her paddock. There was no sign of disturbance except for where she fell.

I was so shocked. Her body was still warm and not stiff. I couldn’t get a signal on my phone so I ran to the house to get Scott, my husband. I felt cold and could not get the words out of my mouth. There was no way to imagine this was coming.

Our vet surmised that Goldie died suddenly and without suffering, most likely from a ruptured artery. She is buried in back near the woods.

Anyone who has a beloved animal in his/her life, dreads the time when death comes. Most often there are signs of illness, vet visits and decisions to be made. Occasionally death comes quickly and apparently without suffering. Easier perhaps, but such a shock for the other animal companions and the human companions.

Goldie was a well-mannered horse, easy for us to care for. When she was young, her training was in a vigorous, highly disciplined method. It was too intense for her sweet, nervous spirit and caused her stress. When she was placed in a more normal environment, she was anxious, suffered separation anxiety with regard to her fellow barn mates and was difficult to ride. Her compassionate owner thought a relaxing retirement would be the kindest solution to Goldie’s discomfort.

Goldie seemed comfortable here at Sky Ranch. The comfort of the same schedule every day, the only “challenge” being led out to the pasture, seemed to suit her. She was never sick the whole time she was here. I think she was content. We grieve for losing her. We will miss her.