It all started back in the 2010 (if I remember correctly, I'm always so bad with years and numbers...)

At that time Raiku the young mare was not living at my place, and Velmu had another mare to keep him company. It was one winter evening, for some reason the horses were running around in their pen, pausing for a short while and then bolting again. And in the morning when I woke up, I found Velmu limping his hindleg. We went to a doctor where they examined him, but couldn't find an exact diagnosis, as horse pelvis can't be x-rayed. (or, at least, they didn't have that kind of equipment at the horse clinic we visited. But the doctor is an experienced specialist in horse leg problems, so I feel that we got about the best possible examination.) I assume that Velmu had slipped his feet on ice and fell, and the doctor assumed that there is something wrong with one of his joints in pelvis.

So there was nothing else to be done than to give Velmu painkillers on daily basis and wish the best. And slowly the leg got better, almost back to normal. Just that I kind of a allowed Velmu to be retired - since that I haven't been asking him to drag loads. There were several easy years, but now it seems that the old problem is getting worse and worse.

So, the process has been going on for years, I have had plenty of time to mentally prepare myself to make the final decision concerning Velmu's life. After all, he is the first horse I had, and I've learned a lot with him - yeah, I have to write an epitaph when the time comes ...