Usually when we go to the sale, I try my best to look for horses who we think we can work with…Ones who are seemingly sound, and have a lot of life left to them. There are horses young and old there, all breeds, all shapes and sizes. We try to handle them and see who we could potentially bring home and put some training and rehab on and find a good home for. There are literally hundreds of horses there, I feel like if the majority of them are going to leave on a kill truck, I at least want to save a few that have a good life ahead of them and will potentially make someone a life long riding partner. There have times that there has been a few that we have brought home that have not fit that bill, and we have found them homes as well…But as a whole, we usually try and stay healthy, and not on their last leg.
The very first time I saw Andre…Was at the end of the sale. I was one of the few people left in the auction barn, along with my friends. There were only two horses left, and then the door opened and this poor, sweet old Belgian was gentle led in by a worker. He had a lead rope around his neck, and that was all. One eye was closed, and he carried his head down low. I looked at my friend, Cheredith, and said what do you think the likelihood is that he is completely blind? She turned to say something to her husband and before I knew it, my hand was in the air.
Sometimes your heart just makes decisions before logic will sound its alarm. This horse was OLD. He was very gentle and sweet, and in horrible condition. I kept bidding on him until I had the winning bid. It was a small amount for such a big guy, but he was in rough shape.
Initially I had a sinking feeling that maybe I bought a stud and I would not be able to transport him home with our others. But, he was a gelding. He was just an old, bad off gelding. Andre’s one eye was completely swollen shut…He could not move his lips. They were dry, swollen, and cracked. He was dehydrated and needing some hay… My husband suggested that it was not the best choice because he would likely go down in our trailer on the way home.
Sure enough, within the two hour drive home, Andre went down in the trailer. Destini and Nathaniel were out until 5:45 am trying to get him up and out of the trailer. The poor guy just didn’t have a lot of strength left in him. He would attempt to get up, and moan and groan, but just couldn’t make it. He inched his way toward the door of the trailer. he must have known he wouldn’t be able to stand up in the trailer.
After they got him up, they set up a small temporary pen for him outside and blanketed him. Just in case he were to go down again, that way he didn’t get stuck in the barn. On Tuesday, I was so relieved to see him still standing. He made it the entire day on Tuesday. Nathaniel hand fed him…He had to put the soaked alfalfa cubes directly to his teeth in order for him to lick it or attempt to chew it. And he guzzled water and gatorade like it was the best thing he had ever been given.
Tuesday afternoon, I spent time with Andre. I told him how handsome and sweet he was…I meticulously removed the burs from his mane and detangled it. I brushed him and hugged on him. My nine year old boy also brushed him and petted him and talked to him. We loved Andre, but it was apparent he was suffering. We have a standing appointment with our vet for the first Wednesday out of the month. I was trying to prepare myself for any bad news for Andre. I was concerned about his lips and limited mouth movement. It seemed his jaw may have been dislocated or broken. His eye was still swollen and watery. He just seemed so sad and broken.
I mentally prepared myself for the worst. I felt bad already for making a rash decision bringing this guy home. It wasn’t me who was out for four and a half hours trying to get him up, or helping him up with a tractor in the middle of the night. And it wasn’t only me who would suffer heartache if he had to be put down or didn’t make it.
At some point throughout the night, Andre went down again. This time he just couldn’t get back up. He had no strength…And he had no fight. Our vet rushed to him when he saw him and was preparing to put him down immediately. Andre closed his eyes after having his injection, and just rested. He finally rested. I got there after he was already gone…He looked peaceful with a bit of a smile when he died. Andre died with dignity.
I don’t know where he came from, or how he ended up there. But I do know he was our horse for two days. Two days of love, and compassion, and spoiling. I wish I could have given him more. He certainly deserved it. It was an emotional roller coaster for a few days for myself, and my children. My husband is the calm, and collected one, and even he continues to be reminded of Andre when he walks in the trailer.
I cried. I went in to our beautiful percheron rescue who is full of life, and such an amazing girl, and she put her head down and just let me cry and love on her. They can’t all be saved. I wish they could. When I thought I had myself all pulled together, I walked back out of the barn and around the corner to see my seven year old son standing over Andre’s body weeping silent tears. I rushed to him and hugged him and we cried together…He said Mom…if I would have known he was going to die when we brought him home…I would have brought him home anyway.
Andre taught us a lesson in compassion. They do so much for us. big magnificent creatures, who allow us to ride them, and train them to do things our way. They work for us…and they give us joy. Please don’t discard your old horse in an auction house. Let them die with dignity. Give them the respect they deserve for all they do for us.
Two days he was my horse. In two days, I loved him fierce. Andre will forever hold a special place in my family’s heart.