02/09/2026
Annie hasn’t been thriving recently. She has come in from the pasture injured. Small injuries… walking crooked on her hind end twice, knee swollen and limping. Enough to notice but easy to brush off as a 34 year old horsing around a bit too much.
She also began to drop weight, so we moved her to a stall to watch a little more closely. Then we saw it. She walked up to her food bowl, but was about 8 inches to the left of it. Head down she’d move side to side until her nose touched the food bowl, then she’d move in to eat.
A couple weeks ago, we found her with a more serious injury from a fall. She had gashes on both front pasterns, and her mouth was cut open. Her lower lip was hanging off. Looks like she ran into something, and went down hard on her face. Her lower lip was cut off by her teeth. Her entire leg was swollen from her hoof to above her knee.
Shes healed up as much as it’s going to get, and there is a gap in her mouth as her lips don’t close all the way.
She’s contained within her corral, and not let out with the herd. Bo stays behind with her so she’s not alone, and she keeps very close to him.
The vet has been out and confirmed she has lost her vision, and probably only sees shadows. There isn’t anything that can be done, except to make the hardest decision we must make on the ranch.
Our mission is not to keep a horse alive as long as possible. Our mission is to give them the best quality of life as long as they live. We’re giving bute daily for any pain she might be feeling, treating the wounds, and keeping an eye on her mouth to make sure it doesn’t get infected. And of course LOTS of cookies and love.
It’s been a little over 2 years since Annie joined the herd and we’re honored to help write her ending with love, peace and dignity.
Someone said to me.. it’s so sad, but actually we think it’s beautiful. Annie was loved literally from the moment she was born. She has lived longer than most horses, and has never know a day of neglect, nor abuse.
If you’d like to help support Annie’s final vet bill, or just help with some extra horse cookies, please donate.
