WESTHAMPTON — Audra’s Dream, a 40-year-old standardbred gelding, died in Westhampton on Thursday, in the same stall that he has gone to sleep in for more than three decades.
Audra’s Dream was introduced to many Gazette readers last month, after the Westhampton Fire Department successfully rescued him after he fell outside in his paddock. But Tom and Kathy Swiderski, his owners, have known and loved him ever since he came into their lives as a 4-year-old.
“He was just the greatest horse … you could ever want,” said Tom.
Tom and Kathy said that Audra’s Dream ate well that morning. He then lay down and took an afternoon nap. However, upon awakening, he was unable to get up.
Kathy noticed that her horse was unable to stand around 3 p.m. and alerted the fire department. The department tried to help Audra’s Dream stand, but this time they were not successful.
The decision was then made by Kathy and Tom to euthanize Audra’s Dream, and he was put down by his longtime veterinarian, Clifford Morcom.
Kathy expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Westhampton Fire Department, noting their earlier successful rescue.
“They gave him three more really good weeks,” she said.
She also noted how the fire department members “were all petting him” on their final visit to assist Audra’s Dream.
Tom and Kathy both shared fond memories of Audra’s Dream, who spent his first two years with them as a harness racehorse.
Tom said that although Audra’s Dream didn’t win many races, he was a spirited competitor.
“He always tried hard,” Tom said. “He always gave you his best.”
One victory that he did have was at the Hinsdale Raceway in New Hampshire.
“He was the little horse that nobody expected to win,” said Kathy.
But Audra’s Dream was more than just an athlete.
Tom described how his horse was gentle, kind, intelligent and great with kids. Indeed, Kathy recalled how when their daughter was around 5, she and two other girls were on Audra’s Dream’s back. Although Audra’s Dream had never had people on his back before, he remained perfectly calm.
“One of them fell underneath him and he didn’t even budge,” Kathy said, noting that the girl was then placed right back on Audra’s Dream.
Standardbred horses typically die in their mid-20s, so Audra’s Dream’s longevity was notable.
When asked about this, Tom gave credit to his horse having a life free of stress and worry in Westhampton.
“He lived in the same stall for all those years,” said Tom.
Tom and Kathy have another horse, Rocket, who is in his 20s. Although they may get another horse in the future, Tom said that they couldn’t really think about that right now.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com