(May 1, 1998 to July 3, 2007)

On July 3rd, we lost this lovely mare due to a problem with her liver and peritonitis.  Although I grew up with horses and spent many years as a full time trainer, Toy was my first Shetland and the one that expanded our horizons in this wonderful venture of raising Shetland ponies.  Many times I told my husband that she was going to be the last one ever to leave the place.  Unfortunately, that was not to be.

Where, oh where, is that crystal ball when you need it?  I had noticed that Toy was "a bit quiet", but she had not been running a temp and was eating, so although I was concerned, I did not take her to the vet right away.  What do you tell your vet for symptoms?

  "Why are you bringing her in?...." 

"I don't like the look in her eye."

By the time her appetite decreased (she was still picking at her feed and was still not running a temp), it was already too late.  I hauled her in to the vet and left her.  They put her on IV's and did all they could for 10 more days, but she just was too sick.  Her colt, Ozzie, was 2 months old when she died.

Lucky for Ozzie, he had been raised with Danby's Fashion Doll (whom we call Haven) and her colt, Odyssey's Loco Motion.  When we brought Ozzie home, Haven took over mothering him.  She did not let him nurse, but did everything else, and many times we would come into the barn and see Ozzie standing up against Haven for comfort, while her own colt would be a little ways away.

Toy was never a "pocket pony."  She was very independent and aloof, yet there was this connection I felt every time I looked at her.  It had nothing to do with my brain, but with my heart.  She just "grabbed me."

There have been many, many horses in my life, but none I loved as much as Toy, and I will miss her dearly. 

Nancy Krumm