Dear Glorybound,
I've seen my fellow equestrians have their childhood pony still living at age 36 to 40 years old. They didn't part with them and tote their kids and grand kids around.
Though old, arthritic, teeth worn --if you take care of a horse as a pet or your best friend; they'll live off of love more than they do the feed or hay. By time the horse is in their 30's their teeth are like this < closed
the sharp edges of the teeth need to be filed (called floating in the equestrian world). The grain might need to be smashed finer as their grinding teeth are worn. Bran mashes and other food stock to be altered for the old timer. Corn would be best for warmth and fattening the horse. Oats are an energy grain, short lived and no fat; barley is a filler. No quality to the grain for horses. But--Grass is the best for horses.
I had to put a horse down that wasn't that old but, I swear to you; that the veterinarian had to repeat the deadly dose; my horse and I were so bonded and I did love him so--more than any love for a human really. The horse wouldn't die. He fought to live until the drugs took over but; I'm sure he had the will to live but; it would be no kindness to let him suffer. The Vet did all they could but; sometimes it is an awful thing to survive a horse's death. I certainly would have taken his place.
---------------------------------------
Name BURNSIDE, Ambrose Everett
Born May 23 1824, Liberty IN
Died September 13 1881, Bristol RI
Pre-War Profession Tailor, graduated West Point 1847, Mexican war, frontier duty, resigned US Army 1853, businessman, militia officer.
War Service 1861 organized 1st Rhode Island - Col., commanded a brigade at First Bull Run, August 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, led expeditions against the North Carolina coast, New Berne, March 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Left Wing at Antietam, ordered to command Army of the Potomac November 1862, Fredericksburg, commanded Dept. of the Ohio, Knoxville, commanded IX corps at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Crater, relieved of command, resigned April 1865.
Post War Career Governor, businessman, US senator.
Notes An unwilling commander of the Army of the Potomac.
On the Internet U. S. Major General Ambrose Everett Burnside
Further reading
Marvel, William Burnside Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, 1991
Poore, Benjamin Perley The life and public services of Ambrose E. Burnside, soldier, citizen, statesman Providence RI, Reid, 1882
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf