The Final Goodbye

Tonka - Avalon Equine's Boston Terrier that was recently euthanized after a very long life.

By Kathy St.Martin
Last week was a rough week here at Avalon Equine.  We had to say goodbye to our longtime companion, buddy, friend…confidant, Tonka.  He had been with us for almost 16 years and when we traveled giving our equine reproduction short courses, he was a constant in our lives that many of you had met along the way.  A funny, cantankerous, grouchy guy, he was one of the richly colored threads that make up the fabric of our lives.  We kept hoping he would make the hard decision for us and just - wake up dead - but sticking to his life’s dictum, he didn’t make even that choice, easy for us.  It was time. 

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Tonka - Enjoying a sunny day at Avalon Equine!

Which leads me to this week’s Blog topic - when do you make the decision to say goodbye?  Especially when dealing with large animals and weaving that with the business end of things?  We are often asked, when do you say enough?   And that is a tough question to answer. 

LA Express, a Hanoverian Stallion that lived until he was 23 here at Avalon Equine.

Well before foals start arriving here, we have adopted a pretty hard line protocol that helps to take the emotion out of necessary and sometimes heartbreaking decisions. We will make heroic efforts on foals that we know can overcome whatever adversity a bad foaling or early illness may bring. However, if what we are addressomg will result in a foal that will live out its life as a “pasture ornament”, we draw the line. Obviously, there are things that require awaiting the outcome and tincture of time. Even if the foal may never be competitive in the show ring, if it can live a happy, comfortable, useful life, we will work to save it.  We also have to realistically, look at the costs involved, as well.  Typically, we will put a dollar amount on just what is acceptable WELL before foaling season begins.  That figure will vary for everyone and should be established before your mare foals in order to make a decision without the emotions of dealing with a new foal. Those are ALWAYS tough decisions and knowing you are dealing with something that didn’t have a choice, doesn’t make it easier.  But, in order to offer the best care for ALL of our horses, we recognize investing large sums of money into one, is not a good moral, business or fiscal decision.  And of course, one has to look at whether or not the horse will live a comfortable life.  There are definitely fates worse than death.

Mata Hari - Belafonte's dam, earned her retirement at Avalon Equine - with our granddaughter, Zoey.

We will mark our horses' last resting place with their halter plates placed upon the fence post above them.

Every year, we have to make one or two of those gut wrenching decisions.  Our elderly horses live out their days here until they are no longer happy, comfortable and thriving.  They have typically lived with us for many years and have earned a soft retirement.  When the time comes, a quick and humane end is the final kindness we can offer.  We don’t re-home our ET recipient mares or our elderly mares that “may” produce one more foal.  We want to ensure that their final years are gentle and kind to them. When they are no longer comfortable, or no longer able to maintain their weight, we feel responsible for making their ending easy – if not for us, for them.  It is, as a horse breeder, animal lover and human, our biggest responsibility.   Their halter plates tacked to a fence post, mark their final resting place.  

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The Oak tree under which Tonka is buried.

Except for Tonka - Tonka got his own tree to sleep under.  In time, we will look for some sort of memorial to mark his spot. But for now, we will watch the tree grow and change and mature.  

​Godspeed Tonka...until we meet again.