Sympathy gift - horse died tragically

[Jeenyus161]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice. My wife's horse died last night in the thunderstorms. A freak accident has killed two horses, my wife's being one of them.

Obviously she's very upset and I'd like to potentially get her something a bit more meaningful than flowers. Does anyone have any equine-based suggestions? I'm not at all horsey, so have no idea what kind of thing is appropriate.

Thanks in advance.

[Mr Squarekins]

Difficult. Maybe make a donation in her name to a horse sanctuary? Or adopt one in her name at similar?

[AndyAudi]

Horse tack is horse specific to size/shape isn’t it?, so if she does at sometime in the future get another horse her current stuff may be obsolete.

What about finding someone who might be able to make a belt or bag out of some of her tack.

Eg
https://www.ragofcolts.com/

[Tom4398cc]

Oh dear, that’s a terrible way to lose a horse.

If you’ve got some decent photos of the horse before its unlucky demise, perhaps an equine artist could do a nice painting of it?

[Wacky Racer]

Get a "Horsey" trophy on a plinth, with an engraved plate on the bottom, mentioning the name of the horse and a special message. Keep on display somewhere nice in your house,

Should not cost too much, certainly no more than a nice bunch of flowers.

I have recently sold my trophy and award business, but equestrian ones were very popular.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=horse+trophy&amp...

[bigpriest]

If she's as emotionally involved with horses as one of my female relatives is then I wouldn't consider a "gift" yet. It would be like losing a close relative and someone giving you a tie and cufflinks the next day. Maybe a thinking of you card, an offer of support with anything she needs and a donation to an equine charity. Then see how she copes.

[Squadrone Rosso]

No idea what you’d buy but just wanted to say sorry for your loss

[Boosted LS1]

Could you tell your wife how you feel about this and maybe see if you could do something together? That may be really appreciated and be a bonding thing as well. Sorry to hear about this.

[moorx]

Sorry, I have no suggestions either, but just wanted to send my sympathies to your wife.

[85Carrera]

Tom4398cc said:

Oh dear, that’s a terrible way to lose a horse.

If you’ve got some decent photos of the horse before its unlucky demise, perhaps an equine artist could do a nice painting of it?

This is a great idea. This lady did a fantastic picture of my wife’s cat from a photo. She paints horses, too - https://www.pennyrichardson.co.uk/

[Douglas Quaid]

Isn’t the best way of getting over a horse getting under another one?

Could you buy her another? Maybe a small one for her to raise.

[OMITN]

We lost two donkeys (yes, we had all varieties of rescued equines) to lightning strikes. I possibly still have a lock of hair from the mane of “mine”.

The OP’s wife will feel this as strongly as the loss of another human, so right now is definitely too early for a gift. But I think a painting would be an excellent memorial in due course.

[Ladders]

That's really sad and not something I realised could happen!

Could you commission a bronze statue to be made in the horses likeness? Depends on budget obviously.

[Nightmare]

So sorry to hear - we lost our giant awesomeness out of the blue last year and it was absolutely horrible.

I gold-leafed one of his shoes and we’ve put it on a tree in his field (a tree he killed by eating the bark. Bad horse) and that’s now become a sort of thing and have added ones for other people as well now

Huge condolences

[Jeenyus161]

Hi everyone, thank you for your kind words and suggestions. Also, sorry to hear of other animals that have passed.

I really like the idea of a painting of some sort, but also the idea of us picking it out together. It would be nice to get a positive out of such a nasty surprise.

I do heed the warning though of not too fast. I've put a picture into a frame for our daughter (aged 6) as a keepsake and we've got some mane, which we may or may not keep.

Thanks everyone

[alscar]

Jeenyus161 said:

Hi everyone, thank you for your kind words and suggestions. Also, sorry to hear of other animals that have passed.

I really like the idea of a painting of some sort, but also the idea of us picking it out together. It would be nice to get a positive out of such a nasty surprise.

I do heed the warning though of not too fast. I've put a picture into a frame for our daughter (aged 6) as a keepsake and we've got some mane, which we may or may not keep.

Thanks everyone

Sympathies to your wife.
One of my wife’s horses also died in her stable one night ( I’ll leave it at that ) and one she had owned for 31 years so you can imagine her upset.
As others have said my advice would be not to buy her anything per se but just be there to talk if needed although the painting is a lovely idea.
I imagine when she is ready another horse will be mentioned.
Hope it works out for you both and your daughter.

[Geertsen]

Jeenyus161 said:

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice. My wife's horse died last night in the thunderstorms. A freak accident has killed two horses, my wife's being one of them.

Obviously she's very upset and I'd like to potentially get her something a bit more meaningful than flowers. Does anyone have any equine-based suggestions? I'm not at all horsey, so have no idea what kind of thing is appropriate.

Thanks in advance.

I am very sorry to hear your terrible news.

I would suggest something like taking her away on a mini break when she feels ready, the change of scenery may help? ...in reality only time will help I’m sure.

An illustrator did a drawing of our dog for my wife once and it made a lovely keepsake. You mentioned you liked the idea of an artwork so I just found a link to her site for you:

http://www.clairehartigan.com/custom-pet-portrait....

Warm wishes to your family.