For those of you who would like to know what happened, I think I am finally to a point where I can type this out. In 2003 Delilah broke her left hind hock. While it healed up, it left her with permanent scars, an oversized hock, and reduced range of motion in that leg. While it was not always apparent in watching her go, she physically could not lay down and at times when needing more flexibility in the leg (like when cantering through tall grass) she would not use that leg at all, but rather go on 3 legs focusing her weight on her "good" right hind leg.

About 4 months ago she got some bruising and abscessing in her right hind hoof causing draining in her coronary band (right above her hoof). She was pregnant with Durham at this time, and it would cause her lameness and even spiked her temperature a couple of times. Then it would drain a little and she would get some relief, and the cycle continued like this. After about 3 months of veterinary treatment (trying to dig out the infection and drain the abscess), and right before Durham was born, a very large abscess finally emerged from her cannon bone area (above the hoof, above the coronary). That is why you see her leg wrapped in Durham's early year pictures- to help that proud flesh heal.

She went about 4 months with seemingly no problem on that hoof. On June 12 there was a slight hole to the rear of her hoof that was draining a little pus. She was sound at this time, and it just seemed like another abscess brewing. Over the course of the week the draining area grew larger and she grew lamer until eventually the entire outside portion of her coronary band was open and draining, causing the hoof to separate from her leg. (Rest assured the vet was looking at her and being consulted all the while). On Tuesday June 21st my vets came in the morning with the plan of sedating her to the point of lying her down, x-raying the hoof (which was x-rayed back in February as well) and debriding the infection/abscess that was causing her pain. Upon laying her down and taking numerous x-rays it became apparent that the problem was much worse than we had anticipated. Not only had the infection taken over the bone and the joint, but her constant use of that leg in support of the other could not take the trauma and caused the coffin bone to fracture. She was in severe pain, and through all we have been through I have never in my life seen her like she was on this day. She would not move, had her head down, and was not reacting to anything. The catheter and needles were put in her neck and she did not even flinch or blink an eye. The worst of it all was the actual look in her eyes. I cannot explain it other than to say I could tell that she had already given up. Her eyes almost looked dead, she lost the sparkle. I have never seen a look like this, and pray to God that I never will again. Being faced with an incredibly painful, long, and impossible recovery, I had no choice but to have her humanely euthanized.

Delilah came to me faced with a terrible injury. She overcame the impossible, got in foal, carried full term, delivered perfectly, and nursed her baby for 4 months protecting him from all evils before physically breaking down. I thank God that she will live on in her beautiful colt and I thank Delilah for making him possible.

To quote my dear friend Susan, June 21st, this first day of summer 2005, "For Delilah today is the first day of summer without bad legs and flies. She will be happy now and she gave you a beautiful part of herself, in whom she will live on."

I love you my dear mare. You were strong, brave, and had a heart the size of infinity and the color of gold.