Ode to Jo....

After Lady passed away JoJo began riding Gracie (she immediately referred to her as Gracie Grace) - a long time resident of the barn - and they got along well.  It's hard not to compare equine when your loss has not been that long in passing,but she loved having a reason to come to the barn.  We still met at 8am and played doing chores before saddling up and riding our hearts out.

It was a few weeks after that I noticed Jo was coming later and later and commenting that she just didn't feel right.  We all urged her to see a doc and get checked out and hopefully, get some meds that would whip her back into shape.  However, that just wasn't the case.  She had developed cancer (never smoked or drank) and the treatment took a huge toll on her body.  There were several hospitalizations, trips to the ER and MANY scary moments. We developed a phone tree and any change in her health was immediately shared by her barn buddies. And we did get to celebrate her Birthday that year and supplied delicious food and a darling horse cake.  She had a stomach tube in at this point, but still enjoyed all the fun festivities of the afternoon and was very appreciative.

After almost a year and one half - she passed away that November.  It was yet another huge and sad loss for us and we were all devastated...... and relieved at the same time.  Our wonderful friend was no longer in pain and she was once more reunited with her beautiful Lady - but - we would never see that happy face again walking through the barn wondering what she and her Gracie Grace would do that day.

Jo and Gracie showing off the new bridle

 

 

 

Jo and I resting after our morning ride - this would be our last time spent in the saddle together.

Rain Rain - Go Away!

When spring arrived that year - I was ecstatic at the thought of riding him again.  Wisconsin, however, had its own agenda as to when that first time might be. Sometimes it happens in March and other times not til mid-April; which is hard to fathom after waiting over 3 months to feel your horse under you as opposed to seeing him beside you.

The first dry Saturday I was SO happy to put Buddha in the cross ties knowing we were preparing for our first ride of the year.  He was nice and relaxed, as usual, and stood quietly UNTIL ...I put the saddle blanket on followed by his saddle.  He couldn't believe what I was doing and gave me a look of complete shock and horror - I truly think he would have sworn at me if he could.  The first ride  always feels wonderful and after lunging him we took a quiet  stroll around the property - nice and easy - since both of us were a tad out of shape after our winter  hiatus of no riding.

The funny part was that the following week, my husband took a week off and while he golfed his heart out on a Wisconsin  course - I rode.  The 2nd time Buddha saw me in a week ...he was curious, the 3rd time he saw me - he was suspicious, altho let me catch him in the pasture.  The following Saturday, he took one look at me and high tailed it across the tract and onto the open field.  ( Who ever said horses were dumb was SO wrong ).  He did eventually wander over and enjoy my tasty treats only to be haltered and escorted back to the barn for a quick groom and more riding.  When I really think of it - no horse weighing over 1,000 lbs. would allow itself to go anywhere if he really didn't want to  - and there lies the beauty of the Buddha.

Buddha in the barn on cross ties getting ready for that first ride

 

 

 

Making sure everything is just right

Sit & Stay - I Think Not.......

I had the barn all to myself the following Saturday and Bud was waiting for me in his stall.  I still can't figure out how he seems to know what day it is, but I swear he does. Every time I walked past his stall door he would plaster his head against the bars so I could scratch his cheeks and actually changed directions depending which way I was going. He was content to remain in his stall when I was mucking it out (he usually would meander out into his run and rummage for some leftover hay tidbits) and seemed happy to just watch me toss the manure out his door.  I then put down new bedding - we  call it " clean sheets " - because new wood chips smell SO good and fresh.  As I walked in circles to spread it around, he followed me step for step UNTIL he heard something that scared him - to this day I can't remember what it was - and tore out of the stall to the back of his run!  Just when you think these magnificent creatures are dog like- BAM - they remind you they are equines all the way, which is why I love them so......

              The Buddha watching me while I tidy his surroundings :)

A Real Class Act.........

Piedmont, Bud's mentor and pasture mate, passed away at age 30 - just a few months shy of turning 31 - which is rare in the horse community. 

His owner had hosted a huge 30th Birthday Party at the barn and friends and family who knew and adored Piedy were invited.  She had ordered a special carrot cake in his honor and the amount of treats he received were incredible. The fact it was 22 below zero wind chill deterred no one from attending this gala event.  We sang to him in the barn and spoiled him rotten with treats and then retreated to the warmth of the house to enjoy a delicious feast that his owner had sponsored.  We all received Piedmont coffee mugs (drank out of it this morning) and copies of a poem she wrote in honor of her equine son.  It was truly a remarkable day.

Piedy was a staple at the barn for years and was loved and respected by all.  He was lord of the pasture and kept everyone in line when behavior got out of control by some of the younger geldings.  He knew several tricks, loved his peppermints, and would come like a dog when called.  We were all devastated by the news.

On the day decided, Piedy sensed it was time and whinnied loudly to Bud in the pasture.  Sure enough...Bud came right over.  Piedy's owner said it was one of the sweetest testaments of love she had ever witnessed - Piedy and Bud stood together a long time to say good bye and then Buddha slowly walked away.

Bud was depressed for weeks after that and was very unpleasant to the other equine.  He had never displayed any type of aggression before - rather preferred to avoid any kind of confrontation if possible.  I felt he was at a loss that his pal of 12 years was gone and everyone who crossed his path was not him.

We all grieve in our own way and that was Buds'.  Luckily for me, he mellowed out after time and returned to being his old self.  Even after all this time - we all still miss the "one and only class act" by the name of Piedmont.

                  Buddha, Piedmont and Lady all enjoying breakfast

                  Piedy at his B'day soiree - with his owner