Asia

Over the July 24th weekend, my dad, brothers, some cousins, and uncles went on a hike up in the Salt River Mountains in Wyoming. My dad brought his 2 horses, Asia and Brandy. During their ride/hike, they came to a snow field and didn't want to take the horses across. So they tied them up. Everyone continued on to a lake, took pictures, and when they returned, Brandy was still there, but Asia was gone and her reins were still tied to the tree. My brothers first discovered this. They started looking around and noticed that she was clear down at the bottom of the mountain, my brother said about 500 feet down. They saw her hoofprints where she had began to slip, and apparently stumble and roll down the mountain side, which was very steep according to my brother. But she was standing, swishing her tail, so they knew she wasn't dead. So long story short, my brother got to her and she was in horrible shape. Part of the skin on her face was torn and hanging down. The skin of both of her eyes was cut and hanging, so she couldn't see. She had horrible gashes and cuts on her neck. I have pictures, but they're too graphic, so I decided not to post them. Anyway, she was able to walk, even though she couldn't really see, and my dad had to lead her out of the canyon about 6 miles. She was seen at the vet in Star Valley, stayed there for a few days, then she was brought home. She had a puncture wound in one of her front knees, but it was looking okay, but the vet said to keep an eye on it.
Well, about 2 weeks after this accident, she started favoring her knee, and it was becoming swollen. Her eyes and her neck scars were healing well though. She could also see just fine. My dad took her into the vet and she was very concerned about it. Basically, if a horse has leg problems, they usually have to be put down.
Asia had a hairline fracture that broke away, so this past Tuesday, they had to put her down.
I'm so sad that my dad has to go through this pain, he loved his horse so much. He fed and saw her twice a day ever since he bought her a few years ago. He rode her hundreds of miles. He cared greatly for her. She was an awesome horse, and one of the most gentle I've known. He said he's never had a horse that was so "personable". She'd just walk up to you, and nudge you on the back to say hi. She was interested in you, while the other horses don't always want much to do with you. It's so unfortunate, but I'm glad he got to have her while he did. I think she helped him through some rough times, and she was a good friend for him.
I can't believe we've lost 2 horses within a few weeks, but I guess that's life, and you just have to deal with it the best you can.
I collected a bunch of pictures of Asia and my dad on the many rides we've been on, and made them into a slideshow, so if you want to see it, click here.