I called the herd for their morning meal.
He didn't come and the fear in my heart was immediately real.

He was always there, the head of the herd.
The other horses didn't come for the grain that was offered.
Those equines had a look in their eyes that something was wrong.
I knew in a moment that my pride and joy might be gone.

My heart broke that day.
As I saw Zip in the spot where he lay.

Zippos High Caliber was still beautiful, shiny, and warm.
I'd spent the night before washing and trimming in the barn.
He was silky and clean and ready to show.
All I could do was hug and hold him crying out “no!”

August 1st is a day I will never forget.
Blast the drought, the dust and the humidity that let
my best buddy fall to asthma, that dreadful disease.
I knew in my heart that I couldn't ask “God, please!”

He was gone in his prime and loved by all.
No more trophies or championships or figuring his way out of a stall.
Zip gave his heart in whatever he did.
Be it reining, halter, trail, games, or teaching a kid.

He had almost human-like qualities like no other.
We sadly buried him right beside his dear mother.
Two beloved horses laying side by side.
Thank you to all who rode them, loved them, and cried.

The healing process has barely begun.
I'll never forget the reining patterns that he run.
His speed and his quickness, the collection, the spins.
It was his pride, his heart, his versatility that helped him win.

Now as I stare at his retired bridle and special bit,
those horseshoes, the blankets each with a championship year on it,
I find my heart heavy and sometimes so sad.
I do have Zip's black sister and know that I should be glad.

There forever will be a fondness in my heart
and know that our souls will never be far apart.
I'll look up to heaven and listen for hoofbeats so fast
and know Zip and Blackie are galloping through the grass.

Rest in peace my beautiful red bay.
A piece of my heart went with you that day.

Shelley Sime Fossen

Hi! I've just joined this group and know I will enjoy it greatly...I've also created 2 new groups and am trying to connect with Floridians to check out & join 'Florida Horse Lovers!'...:-) 2nd group is for POA lovers--'POA's (Appaloosa Ponies)'...

THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS PURCHASED 2nd CUTTING HAY FROM THE CONNECTICUIT REGION and POSSIBLY FROM OTHER AREAS!!!

THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH TRACES OF {{horse nettle}}, A {{deadly}} PLANT, IN SOME HAYS. IT HAS A {{sharp, prickley stem}} WITH {{yellow berries}}. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE BERRY APPEARS {{dry or unripe}} ~~THIS IS THE MOST TOXIC FORM OF THE BERRY~~ THE STEMS AND LEAVES {{are toxic}} ALSO, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE BERRY, ITSELF.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HORSE NETTLE POISONING CONSIST OF:

~~anorexia
~~depression
~~weakness
~~trembling
~~diarrhea and/or consitpation
~~excessive slavation
~~colic

HORSES USUALLY AVOID TOXIC PLANTS WHEN OUT IN THE PASTURE, BUT WHEN SUCH PLANTS ARE MICXED IN WITH THE HAY, ~~it is harder / not as likely they will dwell on in~~
THE FULL FORM OF THIS PLANT CONSISTS OF:

< a star-shaped, violet to white color flower>

CAROLINA HORSE NETTLE IS MAINLY FOUND IN {{texas}} AND {{entire eastern half of the US}}

>>THERE IS NO ANTITOXIN FOR HORSE NETTLE POISONING<<

Once a horse has ingested the toxin, and the symptoms appear rapidly (and you know something is wrong), it can take anywhere from 5 - 10 hrs for the horse to die. From what I have seen, symptoms of colic appear, and then everything goes downhill.

Watch for signs that your horse is clamer than usual, or seems sleepy.
If your horse starts to colic, it may just be that, but if you give your horse a dose of banamine (or something to that measure) and there is sign of it working

Once the colic hits, it is a very uncomfortable process for the horse (violent rolling, heavy sweating, etc.). The final hours can be the worst with extream weakness (unable to stand up, trying to stand, thrashing on the ground) and are the most painful.

::pics and more info::

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have a website to have you to pass on to other people. I do have to warn you that the pictures are very graphic and probably will make you cry. But you should pass this on because it will raise awareness for these poor animals. The website is: freewebs.com/tessasordeal

QH lover all the way!!!!!!!

hi i have 2 wonderful horses for sale. if any one is interested in buying a horse you can look at them at my web site www.freewebs.com/kruzer16
one is starligh/lena pine bar and the other is romeo/royal tango. thanks

I read an article about a young, 12 year old girl, Carrie who had a quarter horse, Misty. This past weekend the 1 1/2 year old quarter horse was fatally shot multiple times with a shotgun. Carrie was going to her grandparents house over the weekend where Misty was kept on their 14 acre land, and sadly discovered the news of what had happened. For more information look up the article: "It broke a little girl's heart." My thoughts and prayers go out to the people who have been devastated by this tragedy, and hope that the monster who did this is found and punished.