Okay, trying to reply to this nice thread without getting too weepy! Thank you for all the kind thoughts! It was Hubby's new replacement horse for Bubba who is now 23. Diego was a 10 yr old spanish mustang who had been bred in N. Dakota and worked cows on a ranch out there. Had many long talks to get more info about him with his breeder and he truly was special. He was a big, beautiful buckskin who had that something "extra" about him. Extremely smart and loved people. I'm kicking myself for being a fool and not taking any photos of him yet - who thinks their new horse is going to pass away?
He was fine Wednesday evening and dinner time but colicked overnight and by the time we found him Thurs morning he was too far gone. Vet came and hypothermia had started - he tubed him with mineral oil and medicated him but nothing passed. He had either ruptured or twisted irreversebly Wed night. Checked him late Thurs to give him more Banamine and he was still laying quietly but he would get up and change sides and lay back down. All day he never passed manure or peed. Friday went out early and he had gone overnight. At least he was warm and with company, no signs of thrashing or distress.
We only had him for a few months but he touched all of us. There will never be another Diego. We may get a few spanish mustang babies and take on their training to see how they do but they have awfully big hooves to fill. Rest in Peace Starbucks Diego!