Added - Diablo earlier this Spring - first days of training. (Photo by S, Diablo's trainer).
I stood there watching Casper for a moment. I had just turned him out and his excited antics were fun to watch. Casper is a stallion and is turned out alone, so he was thrilled that two pastures over, a few older geldings and Diablo, the resident 3 year old were out enjoying the fresh air. Casper went bucking and snorting down the fence line then turned to come back up, bucking and snorting the whole way. I scanned the gelding field to be sure that the other horses weren't upset by Casper's outrageous shenanigans. They all stood on their hill, grazing. Diablo, the young buckskin, looked up from his vantage point atop a hill, and stoically watched as Casper thundered back down the pasture line; though he watched intently, he never moved. I took my little camera out of my pocket hoping to get some good pictures for the blog. I shot a few blurry images of Casper, but he remained in the back of his field, so it was difficult. For a moment, I thought about getting some pictures of Diablo, he looked so beautiful standing there, but changed my mind; it was too far to walk.
Satisfied that the horses were all content in their pastures, I turned my attention to chores. I wanted to clean out one of the outdoor water tanks, hay the mares who waited impatiently in their stalls, water, and possibly clip a few bridle paths before bringing Casper and the geldings back indoors. I scrubbed the water tank and filled it up in about 15 minutes; had the mares hayed, watered and was just about to grab a horse out for clipping when I decided to check on the horses again. I wanted to be sure that Casper hadn't worked himself into a lather. Sure enough, there Casper stood, his normally alabaster coat darkened from sweat.
"Oh Casper," I scolded as I grabbed his lead and brought him to the wash rack to be hosed off. I noticed that the geldings were ready to come in for dinner as well; so after I finished with Casper, I began pulling in the boys. One by one they came, Snippy, Ceaser, Abe and Gizmo. Diablo was still standing on his hill; knowing that he can occasionally be a stinker to come in, I decided to do a few more minor barn chores in hopes that he'd meander on up when he was ready.
As I was just about to grab a horse to clip, Dave showed up. Dave occasionally helps J out with farm chores, and he was there to make some fence repairs.
"Are all the horses in from the pastures?" He asked.
"Yes, they...oh wait, Diablo is still out there. Hang on and I'll go get him." I answered.
"That's okay," Dave said "I can go out and chase him in for ya'."
I waited at the barn door and watched as Dave made his way out to Diablo toting a red lunge whip in his right hand.
"Diablooooo!" I bellowed, in hopes he'd decide to come on in without much fuss. Knowing Diablo, I wasn't surprised when he made no effort to move. Odd though, he wasn't grazing and he was still standing in the same spot. He watched as Dave came in closer, but still made no efforts to move.
Oh no, I thought - Oh n....
"Jennny" Dave screamed "Get out here! Diablo is hurt....I think he broke his leg...."
I ran. I ran so fast, but slowed as I approached the horse as not to frighten him. Diablo stood, calmly watching. About 50 feet in, I saw that every muscle in Diablo's body was tightened, drying sweat still clung to his chest and neck. I saw that his right front leg was messed up somehow. Still, I had hope. Maybe he's got a knot or a kick. As I moved in closer, cooeing to him, I saw the extent of his injury. Fighting the urge to vomit, I softly grabbed his halter and began speaking quietly to him.
"Oh diablo. You are such a good boy. You are so sweet. You are going to be okay." I said.
I turned my attention to Dave "Get J, tell her to call the vet and that they need to get out here NOW! RUN!"
David ran. I stayed with Diablo. I looked into his eyes and hoped to God he was in shock. I prayed that he couldn't feel his injury. I prayed the vet would come fast. I prayed that he wouldn't have to suffer. I continued to pet his sleek neck. His eyes were clear, and he watched what was going on intently. He didn't move, but he had stopped shaking. I began to silently sob. He was so beautiful.
After some time, J appeared from around the barn. She walked slowly, the phone in her hand. I stood quietly watching her approach her sweet, young horse. Knowing that she knew - it was bad. She stopped at about the same distance I first noticed Diablo's injury. I told her she may not want to see it. I cried.
Upon seeing J, Diablo grew restless. For the first time, he made an attempt to move. I will not describe this, because it is the worst thing I have ever seen. This injury. The sight of him struggling, his foot dangling precariously - attached only by -.
We cried. J and I stood waiting for the vet. Feeding him handfuls of freshly picked green grass. Keeping him calm, trying to decide if Banamine would be better or worse - what can we do to ease his pain? Nothing. Looking at this beautiful young horse, calmly standing there with the most horrific leg injury I have ever seen - ever! He looked back. He neighed. The vet came.
"Please," J said "just end his suffering." The vet said nothing, just shook her head upon seeing the leg.
The sun came out from behind a cobalt cloud, casting rays of light across a picturesque pasture. Birds chirped softly from far away trees, purple melted to pink as Diablo took his last breath on that horrible hill.
