Dealing with Loss

[onelittlerose]

For anyone who has ridden competitively or owned a horse, you know how sad it is when something goes wrong. My beloved horse Leon has to be retired now due to a spinal injury. While this is sad, I'm blessed to be welcoming a new horse into our family. Does anyone have ideas about how to combat depression associated with loss?

[b1b1b1]

What a lovely picture. A very big positive is that he is retiring instead of being put down. You will hopefully be able to visit him, brush him, bring carrots, apples, etc., and just spend time with him. Also, I assume he will need to be hand walked for exercise. You may find a new way to enjoy each other,

[MoreThanFun]

I've worked and lived with a few animals since becoming depressed, and I feel that they contributed great meaning to my life through the time that I spent caring for and being loved by them. When I miss them, I think about how (at least typically) they lived well into their lives and seemed as happy as you can ask for. I had a mouse who came to me with anxiety issues and we were able to get them comfortable enough to stop self harming (what a pair right?) but I guess what I'm saying is... Leon probably left feeling cared for.