We lost a beautiful 37-year-old horse a few months ago. He was lively and energetic to his last day. He was so intelligent and wise he was allowed to wander around the farm by himself. I never used a halter or leadrope, but just told him verbally where to go. He loved to go on trail rides and canter around with a young girl riding him.
He was usually in a paddock with a quiet gelding friend, but on his last night he plainly asked his human friend if he could go out into his favorite large field with the younger tougher boys. His human let him go out with them. In the morning she saw that he had died peacefully. He is much missed. I wish I knew why animals can’t live as long as we do.
Oh, but they do.