05/30/2026
We had to make a hard call last night asking our vet to come help us put our boy down today. Over the last week he became very lame and he was getting to a point that he could barely hold himself up. I was thinking about it today. Better to say goodbye a year early rather than a day late. So grateful it was not an emergency and that our vet was able to make adjustments so that she could be there for us.
We rescued him 3 years ago from starving to death in a pasture due to having expired teeth. He was a stallion, so he was with us for life. The vets determined he was in his 30s and we had no idea that he was going to be with us for one month, let alone 3 years! He became somewhat of a mascot here. He was very strong and well built. He was small but very mighty. In the 3 years we had him, we never trimmed his hind feet and you would never know it, they looked better than most that are done regularly!
He occasionally had a mild limp and a sore back, so we never rode him. Mark took him under his wing and he was turned out daily, after taking a short walk into the desert to roll. He always picked the rockiest, stickeryiest spots π€ͺ He just loved his life, looking over his herd here at Serenity. Last fall, we decided to breed him to our mare Windsong, and she took! So although we said our goodbyes today, we are even more so anxiously awaiting the arrival of his foal in late September.
Rest in peace ol Hendi. It was a pleasure and an honor serving you. Thank you for your beautiful singing voice, you will be terribly terribly missed β€οΈ