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I'm only now able to type this out. On Sunday (3 days ago), we had to say good-bye to my daughter's beloved Welsh pony, Sera.

Sera was my daughter's first ever pony. For those of you who remember, I adopted K (my daughter) when she was 7 yrs old (4-1/2 yrs ago) and the next summer, when she turned 8, I surprised her with Sera. Here she is the day she met Sera on her birthday:




Sera was the perfect mount for her at the beginning because she loved being fussed over, and was unflappable and just walked & jogged around for K. They enjoyed many outings together, hacks around the local trails, and so on.


Once K got more experienced and asked for more, Sera then showed her "pony brain" and became somewhat difficult. When K asked for a more purposeful working trot or, more often, canter, Sera learned that she could duck her head down and send K over one of her shoulders. K was always petite so didn't have long enough legs to keep her in the saddle.

Nevertheless, K adored Sera so learned to ride better and did very well with her.

... continued next post ...

Sera was a very successful hunter pony in her heyday, including going to Florida and winning on the 'A' circuit in her younger years. So she was super to take to shows and, when she wasn't testing K, was a really fun mount for her. K dressed her up for costume classes, and did lots with her.

Once K's riding was more confident, she started going to schooling shows and then Bronze-level shows locally. The two of them made a snazzy pair.


K decided that Sera needed a show name, so came up with the name "A Kiss Every Day". It was a very fitting name.

The two of them did better and better once K's confidence increased, and once her legs grew a bit (LOL). They started cleaning up wherever they went.


But as Sera aged, she got more and more stiff so we found a younger mount for K to ride regularly back in 2017 (her current large pony QH gelding, Sawyer). K still rode Sera for hacks and for short bareback rides, but nothing taxing.

Then last summer Sera foundered and that led to the diagnosis of Cushing's disease. We caught it fairly early and she responded well to Prascend, and bounced back from her laminitis for the most part. But then this brutal winter hit. Just before Christmas she became very sore again when the ground became icy & hard. There were no signs of acute laminitis, but the vet and I think she was suffering from chronic founder. She rallied again with pain meds and stall rest on deep bedding.

The winter remained brutal up here with cold stretches (-20C) interspersed with warmer periods when it would rain, sleet, or freezing rain, and the paddocks all resembled skating rinks for weeks on end. Despite rotating through different meds to treat her pain, Sera would slightly rally but overall was worsening. Last Saturday evening she spent most of the time lying down so I fed & watered her where she lay and gave her IV banamine. In the morning, she was worse. When she tried to stand up, she shook in obvious pain. I had her euthanized as soon as the vet could get there.



K was, of course, in tears ... so was I. She was a fabulous pony who we thought would be with us for many, many more years (she was only 21, which isn't that old for a Welsh pony). K kept some of her tail, forelock, and mane, so I plan to have a bracelet made from some of it for her. She's still weepy and it will be a long time before this loss settles down for her ... and for me.

Good-bye sweet Sera. Gallop on in your green pastures on high.

Oh, I'm so sorry. It sounds like she had a wonderful home with you and K, and taught your daughter so much.

Hers seemed to be the perfect pony world--being loved, well-cared for to a solid age, able to reach the potential of her talent while happy to do so, and teaching kids riding/respect/responsibility. She'll be the horse your daughter will keep in her heart forever. RIP Sera.

Oh I'm so sorry! Your post brings tears to my eyes. A perfect pony for a perfect little girl. Both were meant to land in your wonderful care.
(I've got one who likely won't see another winter due to navicular. I don't look forward to it.)

I am so sorry for your daughter and the loss of her dear Sera. Wishing her peace and to remember their good times together.

This is heartbreaking. I'm so very sorry.

I'm so sorry for you, your daughter, and the lovely Sera.

So sorry

Sera looks like she adored her little girl. So sorry for all of you.

I'm so sorry for you and your daughter, DJR.

(And time passes so quickly--it's hard to believe that its 4 1/2 years since you adopted her.)

What a beautiful pony, condolences to K and you and everyone that knew her.

This is devastating for a young girl who loves so much. She put her whole heart into her pony and I am very sorry.

So sorry for you and K. (((((()))))))

Godspeed, Sera. I'm so sorry for you and your daughter. It is a tough reality of loving animals that live shorter lives than we do. You shared a wonderful tribute of Sera's character, talent and beauty---brought me to tears.

Oh I am so sorry. That last pic gives me a huge lump in my throat. They made a wonderful pair.

So sorry. A hard time for an adult. I can only imagine the devastation for a child. RIP good pony Sera.

I'm sorry for the loss of your pony! I remember when you got her

So very sorry for you and your daughter's loss