I believe they actually disbanded some time ago.
I’ve just held on to the hope they’d get together on horseback again.

Once upon a time,

in the magical world of horses, there were three sisters, very close in age and living not too far from eachother. As kids they all had always loved horses and then during mid-life they found themselves each with a horse and boarding at the same barn!

For many years the three of them would meet at the barn three time a week, rain, snow or shine. Together with their four-legged partners, they would ride, school or just sit and talk, catching up with each other’s lives. They went on excursions together, laughed and cried together, shared losses, accomplishments, and dreams.

And then there were the trail rides, both local and afar. Adventures where they truly became ‘The Three Musketeers!’ You might have seen them, riding together through fields and forests, each one living her horse dream.

But alas, as often happens in fairy tales, time passes and some dreams fade as priorities and passions change. As fate would have it only one Musketeer remains with her dream but now, sadly, without her partner.

A wise woman told her why she could never give up horses:
“Horses are in your soul” she said.
And the Solo Musketeer knows that to be true.

The post Dreams Fade to Reality appeared first on City Horse Woman.

“Aah… you’re doing better” said the horse. “That’s good.
Time helps such things.”

Yes. the pain is lessening. My first time back to the barn was really rough though. When I saw your nameplate, taken off your stall and put on the tack trunk, the loss hit me all over again. I’m sorry, I know it’s self-pity, but 24 years was just not enough time with you and I miss you terribly. I still automatically go to your stall with apple slices…. But what you told Kristen really has helped so much.

“I knew it would.
That morning when I felt something strange, like a tearing, in my gut  I knew things were about to change. And you needed to know I knew.”

As we’d grown older, I’d think about the inevitable and hope the end would be an easy decision for me. Severe colic, bad injury etc. making it obvious what had to be done. Tragic, but a no-brainer to end your pain with no guilt. But a few weeks ago I realized how wrong that thinking was: your pain should lessen my pain/guilt? NO, that’s just not acceptable.

I now know I would have been wrong not to let you go. I know you knew it was your time, that this was the way it had to be. You let Jimmy know, and both of you were ready. I needed to let you go peacefully.

Over the years I’ve loved so many companions who I’ve had to put to sleep. It’s always been hard, but it was always obvious it was time to release them from their suffering.

It’s was so much more difficult, heart wrenching,  to make this decision. There you were, standing in the sun, coat warm and shining, happily gobbling up grass. I could have easily fooled myself into thinking all the colic pain was over, you’d gotten thru it, and you’d be OK. But you knew you couldn’t get better. You knew it was your time…. “Better a week early than a day late.” It was so hard to let you go but I couldn’t let you suffer more.

“Ah, you humans complicate everything don’t you?” said the horse.”You know how much I loved my life with you. But it was simply time for me to go. And now it’s time for you to heal and move on.” 

 I’m so blessed to have had you as my partner for 24 years, so grateful for the connection we had. I can’t imagine finding another horse who can compare to you – I suppose it’s not fair to set such a high standard.

“You’re the most loving person I’ve ever known. You need to give that love to another horse. Not a replacement, a new being to get to know and enjoy time with.”

But I feel like I’ve lost part of my soul.

“You know that can’t happen. My soul is entwined with your soul, always.”

“Do you remember what you asked me awhile ago?” said the horse.

Yes, I do.

The post Never Alone appeared first on City Horse Woman.

‘Hay, Welcome back’  said the horse.
‘Where’ve ya been?’
Aw, you know how it is, life gets in the way. It’s so overwhelming at times.

‘No, I don’t know how that is. You humans spend so much energy with busy-work and worrying… you don’t take time to LIVE.’
You’re right of course.
You’ve always seen things more clearly than I.
…What am I going to do without you?

“I’m not gone, my Anam Cára,
you know I’ll always be with you.
Look to the yellow Cilivia flower.
No self-pity.
Live each day.
I’ll be waiting for you at the
Rainbow Bridge’ 

The post Saying Goodbye….Again appeared first on City Horse Woman.

My first direct experience with death came at an early age when my kitten was hit by a car. Back in those days cats were indoor/outdoor pets, today I’d never think of letting my cat outside. Heartbroken, I cried for days and pleaded with God to give her back to me. But of course that can’t happen.

Over the years I’ve brought many animals into my life. Each one enriching my life and then passing, leaving a hole in my heart. I’m sure my heart looks like swiss cheese as I said goodbye to another beloved pet.

Goodbye Harley     RIP

The post Saying Goodbye appeared first on City Horse Woman.

Have you ever
French Kissed….

a HORSE?! 

Equine Affaire 2023, Ohio: Julie Goodnight tells spectators not to kiss on their horses faces… that’s not the way horses show affection, and you run the risk of being bitten.

The only incident I’ve encountered while nuzzling my horse’s muzzle was not a bite, but startling just the same. While brushing her face we just happened to turn toward each other at the same moment. I was talking to her, as I always do while grooming, and she had her mouth slightly open……. The rest is history. Perfect set up for the French Kiss!

Maybe that’s why our bond is so strong!?
We were both a little startled.
It was not necessarily a bad experience,
but we agreed not to make a habit of it.

Photo: istockphoto-1199486942-612×612

The post On Kissing Horses appeared first on City Horse Woman.

•The Cadbury Bunny?     no

                         •April Showers?    no

  •Crocuses Budding?   no

                  •The 1st Robin?     no

•Bees a Buzzing?            no

            •Colored Easter Eggs?       no

 •Toads on the Roads?       nope…

YES!

Credit: Rural Avenue LLC – check out their website 

The post Spring Has Sprung appeared first on City Horse Woman.

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It’s been called

“The Hardest Act of Love

you’ll ever carry out,
and the toughest decision you’ll ever make.”

Of Greek origin, the word Euthanasia literally means
‘a good death.’

This week I had the good fortune to come upon the ‘End-of-Life Decisions’ Seminar produced by the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. This topic has been on my mind as the owner of a 34yo horse. It was not easy to watch. I had only a rudimentary knowledge of how a horse is ‘put down,’ having seen one shot between the eyes many years ago.

I’ve talked only briefly with my vet. My greatest worry, after having to actually make the decision, was how will my horse feel when the initial injection makes her fall to the ground. How painful will hitting the ground the be? Will she be scared, confused? How long will she be conscious laying on the ground, possibly panicked, before the final injection?

Cornell has an excellent reputation, ranking 3rd in the list of 100 Best Veterinary Universities In The World according to vetreport.com while the National Library of Medicine ranks it 2nd in the US. And they did not disappoint with this excellent presentation. Exceeding my expectations, they put my fears to rest with their clear, thorough explanation of the process.

I recommend it to all horse owners.
Look for Past Seminars on the Cornell Equine Seminar Series page.

The post A Good Death appeared first on City Horse Woman.

Today is St Patrick’s Day! And what better way
to celebrate than with horses?

Yes, you read that right. Horses and St Patrick’s Day go together like green beer and regrettable decisions.

The Irish have always had a thing for horses. Maybe it’s because they both have a reputation for being a bit wild and unpredictable! But seriously, the ‘capall’ (horse in Old Irish) has a tremendous history in Irish culture and folklore. Having originally been used for transportation, peat harvesting, agriculture, and as a symbol of status and wealth, horses today are still an integral part of Irish life.

Ireland’s rich history of horse breeding and horsemanship dates back centuries, and Irish breeds of horses have long been prized for their strength, versatility, and intelligence and beauty.

• The Traditional Irish Horse (TIH) is the original indigenous Irish Sport Horse breed which was developed in Ireland 200-300 years ago using the Irish Draught, the Thoroughbred and, to a lesser extent, the Connemara Pony.
• The Connemara Pony, which most consider to be the only native breed of Ireland, has a bit of a mythical origin, just like the leprechauns, but they are thought to have arrived with the Celts in Ireland around 2,500 years ago.
• Along with the Kerry Bog Pony, Irish Draught and Gypsy Vanner (originally bred by the Romani people of Ireland). Irish breeds of horses are diverse and versatile and often excel in many different disciplines from show jumping, eventing, fox hunting and racing to driving and pleasure riding.

So this St Patrick’s Day, raise a Guinness to
horses everywhere.
And if you happen to see a green horse, not to worry –
you’re probably just Blootered! *

*Irish slang for drunk

The post St Patrick’s Day appeared first on City Horse Woman.

Women are problem solvers

In honor of women solving problems by the choices they make I’m sharing excerpts from a story on Horse Network about a woman who took the reins to finally end disagreements with her husband over her horses.

“Despite more than a decade together, three shared dogs, and thousands of dollars spent in couple’s therapy… I spent years looking inward, being asked to reevaluate my love of horses, the sport, and whether their cost—which we all know is rather high—was worth the stress on my marriage.

“My husband never gave it a rest about the vet bills or the farrier costs. He was constantly after me about how much I spent at horse shows, or on my saddle, or new riding clothes…or organic carrots.

“My therapist was adamant that I really hone-in on the relationship that mattered in my life, and I’m happy to say that I’ve finally done it.

Just maybe not in the way he was expecting…”

Read the full article on Horse Network

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