An undiagnosed sleep disorder

Dee lived her early years as a dressage horse. She was retired at 16 due to soundness issues despite much investigation weren’t able to be fully diagnosed. She came here live at the Horse Sanctuary at Finn Farms to enjoy friends, forage, and a good retirement. She was a true beauty, and like a ballerina, her movement was ground covering and effortless, her presence commanding.

It wasn't long after Dee arrived that she began to have recurring injuries. It was only by watching her on camera at night that they figured out what was happening. Dee had a sleep disorder and would injure herself when she would collapse from exhaustion. Years of sleep deprivation took its toll. Despite trying everything they could to help her, Dee became unsteady on her feet, disoriented, always on alert and unable to relax for fear of what might happen. It was only a matter of time before she either seriously injured herself or someone else. It was a difficult decision, but a necessary one, to give her the Last Act of Kindness. She had a wonderful 14 months in their care and was loved by everyone. We are so grateful to our supporters who with their generosity meant we could provide them with our Humane Euthanasia Grant.

Thankfully Dee was spared from ever entering the slaughter pipeline. That would have been full of terrors for her every minute. We are grateful to her owners for doing right by her in taking her to the sanctuary when she could no longer be ridden.