Rest in Peace – Big Jim

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On June 15, after ongoing medical treatments over the last few months our gentle giant “Big” Jim sadly passed away.

 

Jim had been experiencing various medical issues since November 2015. In April 2016, things took a turn for the worse with several bouts of colic. He was paid numerous visits from our vet, and given constant care from our barn manager and members, but things didn’t improve.

Thanks to the generosity of our members, Jim paid his first visit to St.Hyacinthe equine hospital in April of 2016. Jim spent almost 2 weeks there, possibly breaking the record for the number of visits during visiting hours, when he was finally able to come back home to A Horse Tale.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8897″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8890″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Jim arrived back to AHT’s barn.

As per the hospital and his vet, he was under a strict diet, with constant watch and care via our barn manager and dedicated members. Even with all this care, he still had a few episodes of colic.

So once again after careful consideration,  Jim was re-admitted to St.Hyacinthe to undergo surgery with the hopes to determine what was causing his issues. The surgery occurred Monday evening, and Jim was up and standing a few hours later. Overnight Tuesday, for reasons unknown, things took a turn for the worse. The loving and caring vets at St.Hyacinthe were by his side all night, and early Wednesday morning, the painful decision was made, to say goodbye to Jim.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8889″ img_size=”large” css=”.vc_custom_1466259830922{border-bottom-width: -20px !important;padding-bottom: -20px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Big Jim had arrived at AHT in the fall of 2014 after retiring from the Calèche trade in old Montreal.

Jim was retired after developing osteoarthritis of the hip. He was our biggest horse ever at that point and though we’d worked with big horses before, we’d never worked with one the size of Jim. However there was nothing to be intimidated about, as we all soon quickly discovered how gentle and loving he was. So much so that our little firecracker of a pony “Chocolate” didn’t shy away from “trying” to tell him who’s boss, but gentle Jim didn’t mind it too much.

Within weeks it was clear that this big guy with the golden bangs and flowing tail had the biggest heart ever, and everyone soon fell in love with him.

Over the years, Jim developed strong bond with fellow calèche horse Balou. To say that they were so close is an understatement, it was almost as if they were attached at the hip. True friendship like that is something special to see.

Balou will miss him, as will all of us at A Horse Tale who were honoured to be a part of his life.

Goodbye Big Jim.

May you now run free, and eat as much grass in the pasture as you want.

We miss you so much.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”8910,8909,8920″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”8907,8908,8911,8913,8916,8914,8912,8918,8915,8919,8929,8927,8922,8936,8931,8924,8944,8925,8934,8930,8932,8933,8926,8928,8906,8939,8952,8935,8953″ img_size=”large” css=”.vc_custom_1466470032093{padding-left: 100px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row]