Very sad, but if you rode him only a few days ago he was not suffering for long if at all. My horse Strongbow was 35 when I lost him, having had him since he was 5, so a very big part of my life. Over the last year he went down in the field and had to be got up by the fire brigade using straps as he was built like the proverbial brick *** house but the next time it happened he was in the stable and did not try to get up so we knew it was time to let him go. He was a gentle giant, you could sit underneath him grooming his belly! He was such a character, and taught many youngsters to ride including doing a stint with riding for the disabled, and he used to sort of spread his legs and lower his back when they were getting on him. Its quite a few years now since I lost him but your post has brought back lots of memories and a few tears. Remember all the good times you shared.