Krystal may be time to say goodbye

Krystal has never been the same since she was attacked and blinded.  Her right eye had to be removed when her skull was fractured.  This lovely gentle pony has been nervous since she lost her eye – she has had to leave a sheltered life.   More recently she has developed Cushing’s disease and been on medication which has helped a lot.   We thought we had it beat but perhaps ponies develop resistance to the drugs, anyway her condition has worsened and she has once again become lame and out of sorts.

The farrier came last week to see if there was anything he could do, Krystal has laminitis (fever in her feet) although she isn’t overweight, it’s part of her illness.  The vet has put her on pain killers and these are keeping her free from discomfort for the time being, it’s only temporary relief though..

Although her legs are sound and she is otherwise in good health, this serious illness is diminishing the quality of her life.  It’s so sad, she is well apart from it, even her teeth are good. Dental problems are the number one killer of old ponies, if they can’t eat, it’s all over for them.  That isn’t so with Krystal, she eats well but has to have a special diet because of the laminitis so she can’t go out to graze with the other ponies as she would like.

When the vet comes back, we have to prepare ourselves for what he is going to tell us about the future of this much loved sanctuary pony.   We don’t want her to be in pain but having her put to sleep will be heartbreaking.  Prayers for Krystal please.