• Home
    • What we do
    • About TLS
    • TLS Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Case Studies
  • Laminitis
    • Emergency Treatment
    • Chronic laminitis
    • Laminitis FAQ
  • EMS/ID
    • Management strategies for EMS/ID
    • EMS/ID FAQ
    • Rosie
  • Diet
    • Diet FAQ
  • PPID
    • PPID FAQ
    • Half Pint
    • Widget
  • Feet
    • Realigning Trim
    • Feet A-Z
    • Chronic laminitis
    • Understanding x-rays
    • Taking hoof photos
    • Feet FAQ & Articles
    • Feet gallery
    • Reading the foot
    • Dorsal rotation/long toes
    • High heels
    • Palmar Angle Calculator
    • Sorrel
    • Monroe
    • Cedar
  • News
  • Articles
  • A-Z
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • H
    • I
    • J K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P Q
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U V W X Y Z
  • Case Studies
    • Brandy
    • Danae
    • Half Pint
    • Herbie
    • Herbie diary
    • Herbie's TTouch diary
    • Izmir
    • Misty
    • Nero
    • Nutmeg
    • Nutmeg TLS rehab
    • Rosie
    • Sorrel
    • Tex
    • Widget
  • Research
    • New Research/Research by Date
    • Research papers by subject
    • Research papers by author
    • Research news/comment
    • Articles (not peer reviewed)
    • Research projects >
      • NSC in grass & hay
      • How much do horses eat?
      • Do fructans cause laminitis?
      • Insulin response to diet
      • ID/ID & PPID
      • Vasodilation or vasoconstriction?
      • Turmeric/Curcumin
  • Help!
    • Join Friends of TLS
    • Donate
    • Appeals
    • Raise funds for TLS
    • In Loving Memory
    • Friends of TLS Website
    • Horse Nutrition & Health Website
The Laminitis Site

Fly free Homey pony

12/8/2012

5 Comments

 
We lost our magnificent Homer on Wednesday.  After bravely fighting to recover from acute laminitis and significant rotation in all 4 feet in 2009, he developed colic on Wednesday and despite our best efforts, we had no choice but to release him from the pain he was in.  The vet found a mass, we suspect a lymphoma, deep inside him, surgery wasn't an option, this was a battle we couldn't win.  He left this world so peacefully, surrounded by those who loved him the most.

He was the bravest, kindest, most generous and unassuming horse I have ever known, he touched so many people around the world.  He taught Martin to ride, he was Martin's best friend.  Whenever anyone asked Martin what he did with Homer, clearly expecting the answer "dressage" or "hacking" or whatever horsey folk would normally say, Martin would always reply "Homer is my hugging horse", he really knew how to give a big hug, he spread happiness wherever he went, we called him Homey Pony the love magnet.  But that's not to belittle his athletic achievements - he was a proper gypsy cob, rescued from abusive gypsies as a foal by Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary - and yet he achieved the highest mark for dressage of any horse on our yard before we left the UK, and just recently had been learning shoulder-in, haunches-in and half pass.

He left this world in his prime - he was only 18, and he had never been healthier, happier, fitter, more sound, more confident.  His feet were finally perfect, his blood test results in September had been perfect, he was enjoying lots of grass and exercise, the laminitis seemed a distant memory.  He had such a close relationship with Martin, me and Dan, his herd mate of more than 11 years.  Only a few weeks ago he came into the school when I was lunging Dan and just tucked himself in behind Dan, walking and trotting with him, then coming to stand behind me, as if to give me advice, just as an instructor would, before going back out to join Dan - it was magical.  And on the day of his last lesson, only last week, while we were working Dan he wandered into the middle of the school, as if to say "it's my turn now".  He gave Martin such an amazing ride during that lesson that afterwards Martin said he almost felt as if he never wanted to ride again, as he had felt totally at one with Homer, and it could never be that good again.  That turned out to be his last ever ride on Homey, the last time either of us would ride him - we suspect now that Homer knew that he was ill, and gave everything he had.

Homer is the reason this website exists.  We so nearly lost him to laminitis, and I resolved that I would learn all I could to try to prevent other horses and owners going through the pain and mistakes that we endured.  Because of Homer, there are horses around the world that have recovered from laminitis and are now back in work, horse owners who have learned how to recognise and deal with laminitis and endocrine disorders, vets and farriers who have benefited from the information on the website.  Homer was a huge part of our lives - we miss him so much, but he will live forever through The Laminitis Site, and in our hearts.
Picture
My last lesson on Homey just a couple of weeks ago.
Picture
A big pat at the end of Martin's penultimate lesson on Homey - Homey had had a sneaky roll in the mud after being groomed while Dan was having his lesson!
Picture
Homer during his laminitis - we'd have done anything for him.
Picture


Homer 1994 - 2012

Strong Homey pony,
the big hugging pony.
When you were near
we never felt lonely.

Reliable, wonderful,
hairy, happy and free,
gentle, giving, loving,
always joyous to see.

Worked hard in his lessons
we keenly anticipated,
loved to get thanks
but remained understated.

“Is this big rug really for me?
Can I let myself trust you?
And if you can love me,
then can I love you too?”

Lived for green grass
or lazing in shade,
brought so much laughter
with the farts that he made.

Loved to be with them,
usually munching as well,
often swapping nuzzles
with Dan and Chantelle.

Though he had known malice,
he never showed us any.
He loved to share happiness
with us and so many.

Deep dark knowing eyes
knew fear as a foal,
but for us that shaggy coat
and a warm loving soul.
Thick shiny black mane
and flowing white feathers.
He was always content,
whatever the weather.

He radiated peace,
and he gave out so much
for a small piece of apple
and our grateful touch.

He learnt to love us,
as we did him, slowly.
Now rest in peace, Homer,
our perfect pony.


by Martin

"...and then, he looked deep into my soul
and he asked me
"Do you love me enough to let me go?"

and I held him close and replied softly....
yes......."


From For Winston by Jan Elliott-Goin
Saying Goodbye

Please do not use any of these photos or words without permission.
5 Comments
    Articles

    ​Laminitis, EMS or PPID - start here​
    ​Who said "stop the carrots"?
    ​Pituitary stress hormones
    ​Should pergolide be increased for the seasonal rise?
    ​
    Are you using illegal supplements?
    ​Body Condition Scoring
    ​
    Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
    Equine Metabolic Syndrome and insulin dysregulation
    TTouch for laminitics 1
    Laminitis and the Feet

    La fourbure et le pied
    Laminitis, EMS and PPID
    Testing Insulin
    Cold Weather 
    Laminitis Rehabilitation – The Owner's Perspective
    Casareño's recovery
    P3 - the pedal/coffin bone/third phalanx
    Vit C and PPID

    Vetcare Webinars Andy Durham 2013
    Movement - good or bad?
    Pulsatility of ACTH
    Starting pergolide/Prascend
    ​
    Managing horses with PPID - Marian Little & Dianne McFarlane
    Is it PPID or is it EMS? 
    FAQ: Rehabilitating the feet after laminitis
    Diet for weight loss
    Please report adverse reactions to Prascend
    Splitting Prascend tablets
    Measuring Collateral Grooves
    General Laminitis Quiz
    Body Condition Scoring Video
    Video comparing PPID symptoms and normal aging
    McFarlane 2011 Equine PPID
    Pharmacokinetics of Pergolide Mesylate in Horses - Rendle et al. 2013.
    EVA foam pads

    Rehabilitating the Laminitic Foot - Scott Morrison DVM
    Anaemia and Iron Supplements
    Early symptoms of PPID.
    Don't raise the heel!
    The Laminitis Site is now a charitable company!
    Izmir returns to work after laminitis in all 4 feet.
    Trimming the laminitic horse.
    A balanced foot.
    The circumflex artery and solar corium necrosis.
    What do you know about PPID?
    Laminitis myths.
    Frosty grass = high sugar!
    There are no magic potions!
    Is injected pergolide more effective than oral?
    ​
    Risk Factors for Equine Metabolic Syndrome - Dr Nichol Schultz
    Fly free Homey pony.
    Sorrel's doing great!
    Celebrating Homer's results!
    The Horse.com Ask the vet live: PPID.
    If the bone moves - move it back!
    Always get a diagnosis!
    Horses with laminitis need pampering!
    Autumn is the best time to 
    test for PPID.

    Archives

    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2016
    August 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    September 2011

    RSS Feed

Laminitis/EMS/PPID? Start here
Need help/support? Join FoTLS
Donate to help laminitic horses
Disclaimer: The information, suggestions and links (hereafter referred to as “information”) contained in this website are provided for information purposes only and should not be relied upon nor replace professional veterinary advice.  Information is non-veterinary, is based as far as possible on current research, does not constitute advice or diagnosis, and should be discussed in full with all relevant vets and hoofcare or other professionals.  No responsibility is taken for the accuracy or suitability of information contained in this website, and no liability accepted for damages of any kind arising from use, reference to or reliance on any information contained in this website.  If you suspect your horse has laminitis or is ill, please consult your vet. 
The Laminitis Site is a charitable company registered in England & Wales No. 8530292, recognized by HMRC as a charity for Gift Aid.  
The Laminitis Site France is an association registered in Charente, France No. W163004578.
Please consider making a donation to support the work of The Laminitis Site.
For more information and membership of the TLS support/discussion group, join Friends of The Laminitis Site.
The Laminitis Site's Privacy Policy.