Napoleon (c1972 - 29th November 2007)

We had to let Napoleon go after problems with a tumor and an ulcer which had been causing us concern for a while. He had always been unhappy about anyone attempting to clean his sheath, and when it became slightly smelly the vet was called and an ulcer and some growths were found, he was given antibiotics and the vet came out every 2-3 weeks to clean the area, this improved for a while and
the vets said he may carry on comfortably for some months or even years.
However one morning there was significant blood loss from the ulcer and he had seemed unhappy for a while so we decided to prevent further suffering and the vet fully agreed with our decision, he was an old fellow who had spent eight happy months being loved and spoilt with everything he needed and all the best feed and rugs.
He went to sleep with his best friend Zak close by and friendly faces holding him and stroking his head. Zak was very distressed and seemed to be searching for him for days, luckily he has two little shetland mares in his paddock who kept him company and helped him through it.
It was still upsetting to see him calling out for his old friend, they had been together for years and had been through a great deal having been severely neglected and travelling to a completely new part of the country together.
We heard two days later of a little pony down the road had also lost his friend the day after we lost Napoleon and was very depressed and would not eat.
This pony quickly came to recover from his loss at Hope Pastures and has over time made a good bond with Zak, we believe that this has helped both ponies to deal with their loss as the new pony, Toddy is the same size and temperament as Napoleon.
We are so sorry that he didn't get to spend more happy years with us but we'll always be glad we had him for the time we did, he was a little angel and sweetheart and lovely to look after. He must have given lots of children many happy years of riding and shows, it is just a shame he was discarded like he was as he surely deseved a happy retirement with the people who had owned him
for years.

With his friend Zak

On arrival

Summer 2007