In Memory

DON'T CRY FOR THE HORSES....... 

Don't cry for the horses that life has set free, A million white horses forever to be

They were ours as a gift but never to keep, As they close their eyes forever to sleep

Their spirits unbound, on silver wings they fly, A million white horses against the blue sky

Look up into heaven, you'll see them above, The horses we lost, the horses we loved

Manes and tails flowing, they gallop through time, They were never yours, they were never mine

Don't cry for the horses, they will be back someday, When our time has come, they will show us the way

Do you hear that soft nicker, so close to your ear?, Don't cry for the horses, love the ones that are here xo

VAIL 

With great sadness I need to inform you that we lost Vail on Tuesday 7th February, to colic. Vail began showing signs of colic on Monday afternoon, and we took her to our Vet. for examination and treatment, including pain medication beyond what we are able to administer at home. After treatment our Vet. told us that we could take Vail home but we chose to keep her at their clinic overnight, in their ICU, for professional observation and so that if further treatment became necessary, she would have immediate access to veterinary attention. Around 10 p.m. Vail was showing signs of distress so our Vet. decided to set her up with IV and perform other tests for further diagnosis. On Tuesday morning Vail was showing some slightly positive signs, and other tests were again performed by our Vet. (ultrasound, bloodwork, belly tap), and the results of these tests gave us slight hope even though we knew the odd's were still against us. Our Vet. continued during the day with as many treaments options as were available, however late in the afternoon Vail's condition was deteriorating and her pain was increasing, so under Veterinary advice we had no option but to make the decision to ease Vail's suffering as humanely as possible.

Vail will be greatly missed; she was undoubtedly one of the best lesson horses I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and she taught many students a lot about horses and riding.

I loved and still love Vail and I will miss her. She was my favorite lesson horse ever! She taught me alot and I am grateful for the time that I had with her. Emily R.

Emily my heart breaks for you; I know how much you loved Vail. You and Vail had a special relationship; she trusted you, and that matters more than anything. Treasure what you and Vail had together, and in time, may you experience the same relationship with another horse - I have faith that you will xo Sue

We are so sorry! She will be missed by many but never forgotten...... Stella H-J.

Thank you for telling me Sue! Vail was my first horse she taught me so much & I'm glad she taught other people how awesome a horse can be!! ♥ Rip Vail

So sorry for your loss guys. I know she was a special horse. Karen W.

August 2012 - It's been 6 months since we lost Vail, and the summer is always our busiest time. I missed Vail on all the Day Camps and other summer activities, and while it has been wonderful seeing our former Vail students develop relationships with the other lesson horses, I still feel that I lost one of the best lesson horses ever back in February. Vail was so kind, so patient, so willing, so wise, and so careful with her riders. Vail was one in a million and I will never forget her, or all the hours I spent with her in the arena. I just hope all Vail's students realise how lucky they were to ride such a great horse. I love you, Vail. xoxox

SNOOPY 

Snoopy - we will miss you terribly. Snoopy passed away during the afternoon of Tuesday 19th October, 2010. The changes in Snoopy's arthritic knee joint caused a bone spur to break loose within the joint, causing extreme sudden lameness. On examination by the Veterinarian and radiographs to confirm the diagnosis, it was decided that it was in Snoopy's best interest to ease his pain as humanely as possible. Options for surgery for this type of condition are very limited and carry extreme risks and low chances of a recovery. These options are further limited when the horse is elderly and the arthritic changes are as severe as Snoopy's were. If we had opted for surgery, and Snoopy had survived the procedure and the anesthetic, then we may have had another month with Snoopy, at best. During this time he would have been on constant pain medication and would have had a limited quality of life. It would not have been fair to subject Snoopy to this, he had a dignity we had to honour. We are all very upset at losing Snoopy, he had great spirit, was a wonderful character and a wonderful teacher. *** Many thanks to everyone who has sent messages of sympathy, cards, drawings, flowers. Snoopy certainly touched many lives.

It's 6 1/2 weeks since I lost Snoopy; I am still counting the days, every day. I still miss him every single day. I miss his big 'studly whinny' when I brought the grain cart around, twice a day. I miss how he put his head over the top of the gate when I arrived at his pen with his grain, acting like a 'big horse', just to make sure I didn't forget to feed him. I miss hearing him call to me when he wanted to come in from the pasture. I miss him terribly :-(      Sue

4/16/11 - Next week will mark the 6 month anniversary of Snoopy's passing. I still miss him every day. I'm not sure that I will ever really come to terms with losing him, but I am grateful for the time we had together and the priviledge of having Snoopy as such a fantastic lesson horse and what a treasured 'work partner' he was for me. He taught so many, and was loved by all those who interacted with him. Sue.

10/26/11 - A week ago today we marked the one year anniversary of Snoopy's passing. It was too difficult for me to write about it last week, we all still miss Snoopy terribly. Kerry put flowers on Snoopy's grave, and I didn't turn horses out into 'his' pasture all day, as a mark of respect, and yes, I watched the clock all day long re-living all the events of that sad day when we had to make the decision to set him free from the pain that he was in. Time may ease our pain, but the tears still flow :-(      I miss you, 'Noodle'. xoxoxo

Dear Sue, have been thinking of all of you since my Wednesday lesson. I can't imagine how you folks are missing Snoopy. I am sure that there are big holes in your day that had been filled with caring for Snoopy's needs (as defined by Snoopy). I know that you all made the best decision for Snoopy but my heart is crying over the fact that decision had to be made. I guess I thought that he would live forever. And I guess in a way he will live on forever in our memories. Iremember it was my shared lesson with Therese on Snoopy that really cemented my commitment to figure out how to ride. I remember how skinny and sad he had gotten when Cactus Creek changed hands. He had his own fears and traumas with bridling to over come
and boy did he. (What had they done to him?). He taught me so much about horses. Being the wise ol' guy I remember him getting the best of me in many situations like not moving when I wanted him to come in for a lesson. I remember grooming him one time, taking him back out
to pasture where he proceeded to roll and roll and roll. When he got up his look was one of see that's how it is done. And of course there are many memories of him with his young riders on board. I remember that the first time out in the arena for a competion he would figure out the course. Who ever rode him the next time it did not matter what he was told he would do the course the right way.. I think what I will carry with me until I die is how dignified and gentlemanly he was. He lived his life with a grace and spritiual presence that is so rare. When I think of him running in pasture I will always be reminded that life is worth enjoying no matter how old you are or how much pain you are in. I am so lucky that he entered my life and may
I be a better person for it! Love you all, Barbara

Oh Sue
My heart sunk when I saw the title of the Email! Hearts are breaking a little all over America and in Kyrgyzstan too today. We have all ridden, been taught by and loved Snoopy and fallen in love with his indomitable spirit. I have so many awesome memories of him.... when we first met him and you used to borrow him from the ranch for lessons; when the vet couldn't figure out how old he was - just "very old" :-) ....the lovely pics of him playing in the winter snow....Kelsey's killer dressage test on him..... Snoopy in the potato race...... Snoopy with the "littlies" on board -- trotting and cantering round like a trooper....every one brings a smile and a tear. I know you must all be very sad -- but must also take great comfort in the fact that he had an awesome last few years and was appreciated, loved and spoiled. Am thinking of you all and wiping my eyes like everybody else who is reading this I'm sure. Thanks so much for letting me know.
Love Penny