Nano

Nano, a tribute….but more than that…a piece of life ….

Nano…but his nickname is Narvalo, as some of you know him…

Before Darwyn’s Refuge, which I founded in 2000, I ran a small boarding stable for owner’s horses, where I also had my horse Darwyn, in Sezenove, the Chevauchée stable, which became the famous Blackyland Ranch. 7 horses boarded, including Narvalo. An owner’s horse who took part in the climbing parade, among other things, Narvalo had that Iberian touch that made him energetic but pleasant under saddle.

In 1996, Narvalo was kicked in the hindquarters, broke his leg and underwent surgery at the tierspital in Berne. The owner barely answers the phone.

In 1998, following Darwyn’s sudden death, I decided to stop managing the stable and gave notice to all the owners. Narvalo’s owner didn’t follow up, and I found myself with this horse in early retirement at the age of 11. I boarded him with Yvette, who nicknamed him Nano.

In 2000, I created Darwyn’s Refuge and Nano was one of the first to join the circle.

A bearded horse with the scars of his past, Nano has always had a wild side, and in the park, very few people could approach him without trickery. For him, freedom was a matter of course, and the less humans cared for him, the better off he was.

For the past 4 years, Nano has enjoyed a retirement that suited him: from April to November, he enjoyed 20 hectares, alongside his mare Tenessy and cows. Then, in winter, the comfort of a dry, mulched and individually fed area.

When I visited on November 15, Nano had aged a bit, lost weight but remained lively.

Then yesterday morning (28.12….) at 6.30 am, Florianne called to tell me that Nano was lying down and couldn’t get up. I hit the road, at which point Nano got up….he’s lost weight again in the last few weeks, and his general condition is worrying: he has a large number of tumours, he can hardly crotch, his penis no longer goes up, it’s purplish red, urinating is painful given his behaviour, and his eyes are empty…. 2 hours of watching him and seeing that Nano could live for perhaps a few more days or weeks, but at what price? What real suffering is he enduring? Should we wait this time, or will we have to call the vet in a hurry to put him out of his misery? Will we find him in agony, sweating?

Out of respect, I’ve decided to spare him all the endings we hate to see, to postpone the deadline until the evening, the next day, simply for lack of courage, or to say, “we’ve tried everything”…no, Nano will leave calmly, and surrounded, simply because he has the right to leave with dignity….

A big page is turning, Nano has marked many of my years, a horse, memories of life, a piece of us that is unhooking at the same time….

Sad is a given, and who wouldn’t be but after 24 hours, I imagine him in his new meadows, turning around with his “I’m coming or I’m running away from you” look, but this time, his look means …just thank you …so even if the tears are rolling, it’s with a smile, that I watch you leave us….

To you Nano, the first of this life I dedicate, I ask you a favor…you who knew him, if you meet this pretty bay, with the spot under the belly, tell him, simply that his name resounds in many minds and that despite time, I still miss him so much….

Hi Nano, hi friend!