Today I got the phone call I've been dreaading. My old Appaloosa, Cochise, died less than four months short of his 32nd birthday. I left him in Chicago when I move to FL. I kept him at a friend's house, so I knew he had good care. Their horse died a couple years ago, so it was just Cochise and their old goose, Buckwheat. He ate his food this morning, but they noticed he was stiff and then he started coughing up blood. They called the vet, who found him dead in the barn so thank God I think it was really fast...no suffering. Poor Buckwheat is standing outside his stall honking for him. I owned him for 27 years, so he was my baby. I still have my horse Figment, and I love Figgie dearly, but Cochise was one in a million. RIP to my old man. I'm sure he's cantering through the pastures in Horse Heaven right now, or maybe playing with his old buddy Serenity the Saddlebred who died a couple of years ago.

I am so sorry.

i'm SO sorry!! it sounds like he lived a long and happy life!

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my old arab just short of 34 years old. He had hardly any teeth left, and it was the most humane thing for him. Cochise had a long life. Longer than most horses. Now he is free. You have my deepest sympathy

Don’t cry for the horses
That life has set free
A million white horses
Forever to be.

Don’t cry for the horses
Now in God’s hands
As they dance and they prance
To a heavenly band

They were ours as a gift
But never to keep
As they close their eyes
Forever to sleep

Their spirits unbound
On silver wings they fly
A million white horses
Against the blue sky

Look up into heaven
You’ll see them above
The horses we lost
The horses we loved

Manes and tails flowing
They gallop through time
They were never yours
They were never mine

Don’t cry for the horses
They will be back someday
When our time has come
They will show us the way

Do you hear that soft nicker
Close to your ear?
Don’t cry for the horses
Love the ones that are here

I am so sorry about Cochise. That is a long time to love a horse and then lose him.

Twiglet, that is a beautful poem ...

I'm so sorry for your loss. *Hugs*

I am so sorry for your loss...That Poem made me cry ...Beautiful yet sad....

So sorry for your loss...I know how it feels to lose a Horse..(((huggs))))

I am so sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear about Cochise, what a grand age to live to, he must of been well looked after, would love to see a picture of him and his goose friend ( Buckwheat), do you have one you would care to show us? Lovely poem also.