Monday, April 11, 2022

The Story of Flash

 Flash was born in 1996 and spent his early years in Kansas (where he was born) and Arkansas where he carried a flag in chuck wagon races.  At six years old, he came to California where our trainer found him at a horse sale.  She thought he would be a good horse for Brett.  She was right; he was perfect for Brett.  They loved to do the same things -- mounted patrol, obstacles, and trail rides.  They both liked to play silly games, although they did get carried away at times.  They were chasing imaginary cows one time in the arena when Flash gave a yee-haw buck and Brett went flying.  He couldn't be mad because he had started the game.  Flash loved hiding Brett's tools -- sometimes dropping them in the water trough.  He was a one person horse, and that one person was Brett.  

We lost him on a beautiful April morning, about a week ago.  He had been gimpy on his right front, consistent with an abscess.  I didn't feel any heat, or swelling, or bounding pulse.  Our farrier came out and pulled his shoe and orthopedic pad so the abscess could come out easier.  The hoof did not test sensitive but it might not if the abscess was deep.  I applied a poultice and wrapped his foot.  He continued to limp around the pasture, sometimes not wanting to put any weight on the leg but jumping three-legged,  

The next morning, we packed the travel trailer and then Brett went inside to change.  I walked down the driveway, past Flash and Pistol's pasture, to get the mail.  Flash was still limping around.  On my way back to the house, I could see that the leg was broken.  It was a clean break, all the way through, and ...well, I won't tell you anymore details because it was just awful.  Flash was frantic, trying to run and half-falling and the leg swinging...  I ran into the house and called for Brett.  It was not my finest hour.  I was hyperventilating and hysterical.  Brett went out, came back in, and called the vet.  Flash finally fell over and laid quietly on the ground.  Our vet was there in 30 minutes so thankfully Flash did not suffer long.  

Here are some of my favorite photos of Flash over the years.  There is more about him in the Flash tab under the header photo, above.









9 comments:

  1. What a beautiful horse your Flash was, that photo on the beach is amazing. How lucky that Brett and Flash found their One and Only in each other. My sincere sympathy in not only your loss, but the manner in which it happened. Every horseman’s nightmare. I’m so sorry you, Brett, Flash and the other animals experienced that trauma.

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  2. I am so sorry. Maggie broke her leg kicking the stone wall in her stall and I sure understand what you have been going through. Tears here thinking about your sweet boy.

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  3. I am so sorry, Annette and Brett. I have followed your lives with Flash for many years, and feel like I know him. You are loving, conscientious caregivers, and I know how painful this must have been for you. We all know the heartbreak and agony of the last moments, though they may come in different ways. There have been so many times where it hurt so bad I wondered why I even have horses. But we take the good with the bad, and most of it is beautiful. His life with you was truly beautiful. ❤️

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  4. Oh Flash! Having read so much of your blog over the years, I remember him and his special friendship with Brett just like yours with Jackson. I am so very sorry for your loss and the events leading up to it.

    Tears in New Jersey for your lovely blue-eyed Flash
    Sincerely,
    Val

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  5. Oh how I will miss that boy, the stories, the antics. I never had the chance to meet Flash, give him a cookie, scritch his nose, but got to know Flash through your wonderful stories. My heart is broken for all of you.

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  6. Oh I am so sorry. I would have been frantic too. (((((Hugs))) to you and Brett. God speed Flash, you were a grand horse and much loved.

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  7. Always enjoyed reading about Brett and Flash's lovely relationship over the years Annette. You captured it so well here in the blog. Hoping the photos and happy memories will one day help ease the pain of FLash's loss. (((❤️❤️❤️)))

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Thanks so much for commenting!