Yesterday was a rough day. Some of you know already, for others this will be news. Cassius has been suffering from recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis for years now. We have been able to keep it under control somewhat by feeding and training according to the newest research. Since last summer, however it has been an ever growing problem. He has had five or more occurrences of exertional rhabdomyolysis since May last year. This is very painful and leaves the horse with cramps in his big muscle groups. They can’t move, which of course is terrifying for a prey animal. After two incidents in January and march we decided that this could not continue. We have since august sent samples to both Germany and the Netherlands in hope that they could come up with a solution. No one had any ideas, and with the frequency rising I couldn’t justify keeping going. Cassius was put to sleep yesterday morning. Everything went as it should, but I miss him.
Not a lot more to say about it. Horses don’t get as old as we do. They don’t suffer when they are dead. Cassius wasn’t the kind of horse to thrive without working, but working gave him painful cramps. I am thankful for all he gave me, there will never be another Cassius.
Enjoy his beautiful brown ears for one last time here