Blackmoon

Blackmoon goes, February 5, 2019
On December 27, Florence calls us, Blackmoon can’t get up anymore…she has all the symptoms of atypical myopathy.

The SACAR ambulance is quickly on the scene, on its way to the Tierspital. A series of examinations, and during this festive period, the results arrive, but not as quickly as we’d like. The results rule out myopathy, but reveal PSSM (muscle disease). After a few days, Blackmoon is able to stand again for a few hours, supported by the net. As the days passed, the situation improved, but there was still visible discomfort in her right hindquarters. She was returned to her stable and closely monitored. Further tests failed to explain the hind leg lameness and muscle wasting. Blackmoon lies down more often, and the thigh muscle continues to shrink. Florence decides to take her back to Tierpietal for further tests, and the verdict is in: this time, the leg muscle is no longer irrigated, her leg is lost, and it’s irreversible. Why? the big question….Many vets have followed this case, and no one can explain it. A rapid degeneration of PSSM? curious in 11 years, no sign, no crisis….

After 5 weeks of research and in-depth examinations, there was nothing we could do….only accompany him for his last moment on earth.

Florence and one of her faithful horsewomen accompanied him for a last goodbye.

It is with great emotion that I write this text. Blackmoon arrived in the first years of the Refuge, she was in her wild state and unusually sensitive. After months of socialization,
Florence took her into her troop of school horses… it wasn’t easy. Fearful, sensitive, agile, fast and light, Blackmoon didn’t really fit the profile of a school horse, and yet… she gave 11 years of her life to riders of all levels and in all disciplines… Blackmoon is the very example that time, understanding and respect allow these different horses to make their mark.

I’m thinking of Blackmoon, but also of all those riders who loved and appreciated her for who she was…and then I thank Florence so much, because once again, she did EVERYTHING:

For having taken her in, for having given her the time to live the life she had, and for having done everything to look after her…You did everything you could to give her another chance to live, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough….Thank you Flo!

To you, Blackmoon, little school mare with pony build but the heart of a big girl, it’s a new road for you, between the stars of Blackyretraite and Darwyn’s missing…

Hi Little Black!