Losing a Young Horse - Discussing Woody and What's Next For Me

I have been thinking of you and here you are❤ Take strength in the love everyone has for you. Woody was blessed the day he met you, he was there for you, and you were there for him. When he needed you the most, you never let him down. You have so much love to give and any horse following in his hoof steps will be the luckiest horse alive. Sending you so much love and appreciation for what must have been another hard video to make Rhi xxx

Oh rhi im so sorry i have a young horse broke her leg slightly shes recovered now but i couldnt imagine having to give her up im so sorry for your loss ❤❤

Rhi don't apologise sorry for crying, we understand and are here to support you 💗💗

Such a sad time for you and I'm so sorry. It's heartbreaking but you did the right thing for Woody. He was a beautiful boy and you were so brave to make the decision. Don't apologise for crying This. It's the most natural thing to do when you lose an animal and shows just how much you loved him. I'm sure yr next horse will be so happy with you but of course it will never replace Woody. There will be another bond between you and of course you will love and care for it just as you have been doing. Sending so much love to you 😢😂

I understand I lost my beloved Conan 5 years ago and I miss him every day I am so sorry

I can't imagine how hard this loss was but I admire your strength and courage in even making this video! Much love to you.

The fact is, there isn't a whole lot of magic once you know the truth about owning a horse of your own. If you don't know you don't know and kind of idolize it. I love my horse with my whole heart I've had her nearly 20 years (I also lost a 7 year old when I was younger so don't think I don't understand your emotions) BUT out best years were when I was leasing her easily. Those were the years we did the most things and had the most adventures. I think in many ways going in not looking for something magic will work out great for you. Still look for something that gives you confidence and fits your needs, but not expecting to feel "bonded" right away just because you are signing the checks.

I haven't watched you for a while (just been busy with other stuff) I'm so sorry for your loss. Must be so hard for you. This is hard to watch. Take care, you did the best thing. Love and hugs from Australia xo

Oh Rhi, I really feel for you 💔. Having to make that decision for a young horse is especially difficult. Don't apologise for your emotions - it is so important to allow yourself to feel them and process all of the feelings that come. Regarding your next horse..... The right one will find you when the time is right. Each is unique and has a whole load of love and learning to give. Yes it will never be woody but it will be special none the less. Sending my love and strength to you 💕

You did everything you could. Then you took time for yourself. Please take as much time as you need. It is possible to love another horse. Although my Thoroughbred's photos are still proudly displayed and I have never stopped missing him, I have loved my current horse for seven years. In my experience, the feelings of loss never go away but in time it's possible to remember a horse's quirks with a smile. It takes time. Sometimes a very long time. Never let others tell you how to grieve or for how long. Sending hugs from Australia.

When they leave us they break our hearts. But it's important to know there is a reason they do this. It's the only way, they can take a piece of your heart with them. When your heart heals there will always be that little piece missing, but it's not gone. They still have it with them. They will use that piece to find you again one day when it's time. And then they will rebuild your heart and all the love will be whole again.

So many of us have been there from the start and we’ve gone though this with you. I miss seeing Mr Woods on your channel. He was a horse of a lifetime. This was an important video for you to make you needed to do it but also I’m glad you’re still checking in and letting us know you’re ok. I’ve missed you! I’ll be right here waiting to support you with the next chapter whatever that might look like. Lots of love nikki Xx

Your video has helped me put things in perspective. I got my first horse a few weeks ago and this week I broke my finger and now can't ride her for at least 6 weeks. Was feeling sorry for myself but what you have been and are going through is way harder. I really hope you can find some more horsey happiness soon.

I think it IS educational, Rhi. I've had horses...and lost horses...and every time it's so hard. Every horse owner may have to live through it, and everything you said resonates with me and my experience. You're doin' good. Tears are OK. Not every day, yeah, but OK. You did the right thing, not putting the horse through more suffering. They try so hard for us; we can agree to show tears for them.

🤍Rest Easy Woody🤎 I lost my pony 3 years ago and it still hurts to talk about him. Your very brave 🫶🏼sending you love and light x

In almost 4 decades of riding, competing and loving on horses…. I always bought my horses young, with the intent of getting them going (with lots of professional help!). I’ve loved every horse I’ve owned… then came my “heart horse”… - a 2 year old warm blood with only 30 days of riding. He’s was clunky, with huge feet and a belly to match. We slowly grew up together… long story short, I had to make the decision (with my vet’s encouragement) to put him down when he was still a very rambunctious, yet very lame 16 year old. One of the saddest days of my life…. He left a huge scar on my heart. How did I survive? Well in typical horse fashion — and I now have 8 horses and 2 mini donkeys… I care for all of them! It took me a while to even think of it…. But it’s different now. Be gentle to your heart…. It takes a minute to reset.

I know people have said it, but you are such a strong person. You don’t have to apologize for not being educational enough. You are such a loving, genuine person and you have taught me so much of what it means to own a horse. Thank you for all you have shared with us, and no matter what direction the channel takes, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next. 💜

I think the only way you could feel better is if you remember to be grateful for this sadness. The only way you could ever be this upset is if something made you really, really happy beforehand.

So sorry 😢. You made an incredibly brave and wise decision. It’s the last act of kindness we can do. It isn’t easy but your pain will ease but the love and memories will remain. I lost my 25 yo last summer so I do empathise and understand 💕

You have been so brave. Losing your heart horse is devastating, and you’ve shared such incredible content. Thank you for sharing your journey. I’m excited to see what is next for you. ❤❤❤

Hi Rhi! Thanks for checking in with us... been thinking of you and hoping you're doing okay. Or as good as you can be. Woody was a very special boy and he will always have a large part of your heart. But I'm also here to say, from experience, to give yourself grace in looking at other horses and know that it will take time to build another bond that is anywhere near what you had with Woody. I lost my first horse unexpectedly, it took me a year (and several trials with other horses) to find my current horse. And after that, it's taken me probably 2 years to really be open to who HE is (not who he isn't) and open my heart to really love and trust him. But man, it has felt SO good to get to this place again... where I'm appreciating him for who he uniquely is, what we can do together, and just not comparing him constantly to the one I miss. I hope that makes sense, and prepares you to not feeling like you have to force anything. Sometimes it just is what it is. Until you're ready. ❤

Oh Rhi, this is gutting. I had come across your channel about 9 months ago and had really hoped that you would have a positive outcome with Woody. My heart hurts for you to discover that unfortunately you had to have him PTS. Sending love and support.

I know it doesn’t feel like it right now but humanely euthanizing a pet is the most loving thing you will ever do. It’s painful but you loved Woody enough to put him down with love and dignity.

Oh bless you, it's so hard :'( I lost my precious boy Ned at 19, which isn't that young but considering his father lived to 31, it felt like he was snatched from me far too soon. He was so healthy and happy in himself but had arthritis in his hocks which made it difficult for him to get up and down. He had such a cruel start to life, so I didn't want to see him suffer again.
You are so brave and so strong for making this video. I lost Ned 4yrs ago and I still cry when I talk about him sometimes.
Stay strong <3 I can't wait to see where you go from here when you're ready!

😭😭😭😭 We love you Rhi, I love seeing your videos and I am so sorry you are going through this it is so unfair!!! You are such a great horse owner. Your heart must be so broken ❤️❤️❤️🌻🌻🌻🌻 We just want to encourage you because you really help so many of us with your content. You are an inspiration and we are sending you and Woody all of our love 😢💝💝💝

❤Hi Rhi, thank you for sharing, for being so genuine and natural - you wouldn't be you if you could talk about your beloved Woody without tears and we wouldn't want it any other way. He was your world and you are sharing your grief, which we share in some part with you having followed you and Woody for so long. Take however long to do what is right for you and we'll still be here, supporting and cheering you on. You're blooming amazing and your community adores you ❤Looking forward to anything you choose to share whilst Woody will be forever in our hearts xx

There is a quote I was looking for that C.S. Lewis said that makes me think of you but I can't find it.

I found this instead: “So it's true, when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.” E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

“I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

We are not bothered by your tears. They show your love for Woody.

This video made me cry so much. I feel for all you have been through Rhi, thank you for being brave enough to share this.

I just came across your video. I just wanted to say how very, very sorry I am for your loss. 💜✌️

I'm so so sorry for your loss 💔 I know too well how hard it is when that time comes as a horseowner. I know you will find a new horse to love even if it doesn't really feel like that right now. One can't replace another, they will simply have their own place in your heart. Take care! ♥️🦄

Hi rhi thankyou for your bravery making this video.i never realise the effect losing a young horse would.have on the whole of my life its nteresting you mention confidence. The rmember feelings of not wanting another horse and it took me 3yrs before I found the right horse. I know what you mean about the magic of buying your first horse not being there. I worried about how I would feel about another horse and honestly the day I sat on him it felt like home and for the first time in 3yrs I felt like me again.during the grieving of losing my horse I felt like I was going in sane I felt people didn't understand why I felt the way I did and I even questioned myself on why I felt the way I did. Take your time and don't let anyone rush you or make you feel like you shouldn't feel the feeling you have. Sending lots of love ❤

That was a very hard video for you to make as it has brought back all your raw feelings. Only push yourself onwards as much or little as you want- you are doing really well.x

I’m so very sorry, our love for our horses is a double edged sword🥲 We lost our beloved pony 2 years ago to colic, we tried everything to save her & we had to make the decision to put her down. Our mare was an incredible pony, she took my daughter to national level as a show horse & she was also an incredible pony for tiny children to learn to ride on. We were privileged to be with our pony until the very end♥️♥️♥️

I am so very sorry for your loss
I have never owned my own horse or pony, I have only ever worked with and looked after horses and ponies belonging to various riding school owners. However, I became as attached to ponies and mourned them when they had to be pts. Time is a healer.. it sounds trite and I do not mean to sound as though this is nothing, compared to my own losses .. I Los baby twins in 1992 so loss s not strange to me. I can truly emote with you so please feel free to weep. Woody was and will always be special to you and you will continue to love him and honour this memory. Especially if you do go on and search and find another pony. Meanwhile, be kind to yourself. Treasure the good memories you have of Woody and try to look forward to good memories being built with a new pony or horse who will deserve your love too. I grieve with thee now but I hope to see you enjoying better times,j when you feel up to it. xx

I’m so sorry Rhi, I used to have a pony called Strawberry cake when I was younger, and I had to put her down due to collic and sickness as it got so bad. I feel you and we are all here for you 🤍🤍🩷🫶🏼

It was a very nice, honest video; tears are genuine and heartfelt. I know you will choose what is the best horse for you. You are obviously well thought of to get the wonderful invitations you have received and we look forward to hearing them as you are able to share.

I lost my 7 year old horse to respiratory issues,it’s heart breaking but you do what is best for them 😌He is now free and his with you everyday ❤️

Thoughts are with you ❤

Oh Rhi - I am so sorry to hear this about Woody. I've followed your journey since before Woody and always loved how honest and open you have been the whole way through. When you lose an animal friend it's never easy but there's something that cuts very deep when you lose a horse friend. You did everything you could for Woody and in the end you did the very best thing you could do for him by letting him go. I lost my horses field companion 2 years ago after she had a huge fit right outside my house and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Luckily the vet came quickly but there was nothing to be done. I felt so helpless as all i could do was talk to her as it wasn't safe to get close. Thank you for sharing Woody with us as he was loved by us all and thank you for being so open about a very difficult subject. You are so brave! Big hugs xx

I’m so sorry, and I understand. Three months ago my fifteen year old boy, Derby, died very suddenly of an aneurysm. It took less than five minutes, and he was gone by the time I got there. I couldn’t look at his photos until recently. It was brutal, and you’re right the details that follow are almost as traumatizing. I still have my old man, and he has saved me, but the shock was impossible to describe. It gets better over time, and a new horse will help you more than you can grasp right now. The best thing anyone said to was that I gave Derby the best life any horse could ever hope for. I can tell it was the same for you and your dear Woody. Hugs

That description of feeling distanced is spot on. I lost my childhood horse a few years ago, I didn't own him but had known/ridden/leased him for almost 10 years. After he was laid to rest, I leased another horse and always felt like I was on the outside staring in, unable to really devote to her. Maybe a year after his passing I decided to purchase my own first horse and I felt super distant from him for another year. While I did love him, it wasn't in that all consuming way that we love our childhood horses ❤

I'm here to say it does get better, while not every horse can be your heart horse you will love them for who they are and you will continously be learning about yourself as a horsewoman.

Sending my love ❤❤

When I lost my loan horse in 2017 I got the call from my boss letting me know when she was going thankfully she went with her bf also so I lost two in the same day and to this day there isn’t a day that goes by I don’t wish they were here I took some time away and came back and feel in love with another horse and found that spark again and it’s different but never again did I think I could love another horse like that again but I did they are so different but the little things are similar and I find comfort in that. There is no rush and no one will compare to woody but woody has given you the knowledge, skill , love to pass on the next horse and only your first can do that for you and sometimes it means having to say goodbye for a while not forever you will see him again one day just not right now and that’s okay too. Never feel bad for crying he became a part of you and a part of you left that day but slowly another can help fill a part of that someday when you are ready❤

Sending big hugs Rhi and thank you for sharing this with us all. I was in tears with you lovely - I was only thinking yesterday that I hadn’t seen anything of you recently. Stay strong, look after yourself and heal… xx

I feel your pain but you have done the right thing !!

Oh I’m so sorry. You are so strong even if you don’t feel like it right now. You have been so very kind to let Woody go peacefully and he will forever thank you for that and all the amazing memories you made together. He was lucky to have you. Sending you lots of love x

So sorry for your loss, and thank you for the kindness and courage to help others. ❤

You took care of his quality of life and loved him so much xo

I lost my first lease pony in February, it's heart breaking, and he passed suddenly, you've struggled with things with Woody for a bit, i can't imagine how hard those decisions are to make, horses lift us up so high, but part of that is falling hard, too...
It's all worth it in the end, and i have seen your new vids with Harley, and i think you have found a soulmate!

I completely understand how you feel. I had to make a decision in march 2023 to end my Woodys life he neurological problems. He was 14 . I had had him since he just turned two. It is a devastating decision to make. But you have look forward and remember all the good things you had with him. As you remember and cherish. Them. Forever. My thoughts are with you. 😢

I’ve come back to these films, as a recent follower, oh you lovely brave girl. I admire and respect you so much. 💐