Our beautiful blind mare Lena made it to her 31st year but no farther. She was the first disabled animal we ever took in, back in 2000 on our ranch in Montana, and she led us to take in many more blind horses over the years. In the end, more than two decades later, she was the last one.
She had been losing weight in the past several months and didn’t have the same appetite she once did. We worried about her going into another long, cold winter like that. Our vet did a full blood panel and everything looked great. That was perplexing because she wasn’t maintaining her body condition, so we were hoping to find some answers in the blood work.
Then, a few weeks ago, Lena suddenly developed a severe case of lymphangitis, which caused her left rear leg to swell up dramatically. The swelling also involved her mammary tissue and lower abdomen. Our vet provided us with the necessary antibiotics, ointments, and leg wraps to treat her. The swelling came down overall, but her pastern and hock remained swollen and painful, despite the treatment.
She became lame in that leg and didn’t want to move because of the discomfort. She would stand there, trying not to bear weight on it, in effect a three-legged horse. There wasn’t anything more we could do to help, and we didn’t want her to suffer. So we made the emotionally wrenching decision to euthanize her.
Lena had been with us from the very beginning, as I mentioned, and she had helped us define our mission of focusing on disabled animals. Year in and year out, she had been there with us, always a constant in our lives. Every day for 23 years, there was Lena. So losing her was like losing a part of ourselves, too. A lot of our history was represented in this one lovely animal.
—
So will we have any more blind horses in the future? It is unlikely at this point because our large-animal vet practice has since closed, as of September 1st, leaving northern New Hampshire with literally no equine veterinary services. (There is also no veterinary care now for goats, sheep, or beef cattle … just dairy cows. This is a sudden, very real veterinary crisis for this region, and there is no solution in sight.) I’m sure you can understand that we would not want to take in any animal that we cannot provide veterinary care for. So for now, for the first time in 23 years, we don’t have any horses and don’t expect to take in any for the foreseeable future. As sad as that is, we are still so grateful that Lena made it this far with us!
(Photo of Lena taken in the early 2000s by Amber Chenoweth.)
Oh Steve and Alayne, I remember Lena so well when you were in Montana. I’m sorry for her loss.
You gave her many good years with a wonderful quality of life that she would never had enjoyed w/o your courage to take her in. At that time there was no information about how to care for a huge blind animal. You did research and figured out on your own. Then you generously shared what you learned so other people with blind horses were able to give them another chance when the prevailing wisdom was to euthanize.
You not only cared for Lena and other blind horses, but also your BlindHorses.org site probably helped many you never knew about.
Lena had a life blessed by two angels.
It’s always sad to lose an old timer, but she had a good life with you for many years–loved and cared for.
Such a long and wonderful history you had with the beautiful Lena. She shaped everything about your rescue. You have my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. Sei umarmt.
So sorry for your loss, I truly understand that pain and grief. So glad she had you for those 23yrs and you her❤️
It’s sad but even here in my area of N. California vets are becoming rarer than hen’s teeth.
Blessings on your journey 🌷
So sorry. Such a special lady.
So very sorry to see this, and I hope that you are hanging in there. Lena looked like a beautiful soul. I’m sure that she appreciated and loved you for giving her the wonderful long life that she had.
Sounds like end of an era. I’m so very sorry. Lena was a legend, and escorted the way for many of us to also adopt blind animals. Thanks for taking her in, and providing a loving home all these years. Hugs to you both. My sincere condolences. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss, what a beautiful girl she was. May you find comfort in the happy memories of your time with Lena.
What a beautiful photo of Lena! I’m so sorry for your loss. After 23 years, and Lena having been the impetus for starting Rolling Dog Ranch, I am sure you feel her absence keenly. It is truly the end of an era.
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember reading about her for so many years and about her horse friends who have come and gone. I can only imagine the hole in your lives from her passing.
The state of no veterinary services is alarming. I wonder what the root cause of that is. I know one of the few emergency animal hospitals we have in our area stopped their 24 hour service for more than a year due to no staff and just recently reopened.
What sad news. I remember so many posts from years past about Lena, like how she helped raise younger horses who came to the ranch in Montana. So sorry it was her time to leave…..
We are so sorry for the tremendous loss of Lena. What a beautiful picture of a beautiful lady! Her legacy will continue you on through your organization Blind Horses. I’m so sad for you two.
Yes, Vet crisis everywhere! The struggle is REAL!!!
My sincere condolences. Lena leaves a legacy behind. Thank you for all you do for these deserving animals.
I remember meeting Lena many years ago in Montana. She was a beauty and how wonderful that she sparked your mission of helping other blind horses. Sending condolences to you.
Rest in peace dear sweet Lena. You couldn’t have had a better life than the one you had with Steve and Alayne. My sincere condolences for your loss, I know your hearts are truly broken.
When I read of Lena’s demise, I burst into tears. I had taken part in a 9-11 bellringing at the Las Vegas airport earlier, so I was already in an emotional mood. Hearing about Lena broke my heart. What a lucky Lena she was to have lived such a good life with Steve and Alayne first in Montana and then in New Hampshire. Having no sight, the smells and sounds of two different terrains must have intrigued her. And Lena’s influencing Steve and Alayne to take in other horses made it even better. My sympathy goes out to all who knew Lena.
Sidebar: Has New Hampshire thought of reaching out to Veterinarian schools for large animal veterinarian graduates? I know Washington State University has an excellent large animal school.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Lena!
I’m so, so sorry. I’ve followed your blog since almost the beginning, and Lena and her friends opened me to an entire world I hadn’t even considered. You gave her the best possible life, one filled with love. She was an amazing lady.
Steve and Alayne,
It’s like an era of your life lost and such an emotional pain. Thank you for sharing your life, love and care with Lena and sharing this sad news with those of us who support you.
You’ve been sacrificing your lives for so many years to give many animals a chance at the most wonderful lives. People like you make all of us more aware of the small steps we can do to help animals that come across our individual lives.
Thank you both.