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1/2 Quarter Horse, 1/2
Tennessee Walker
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January 1981 - November
21, 2007 |
I have loved horses
ever since I can remember. I could never have a horse of my own because my
parents couldn't afford it. I would cut out every horse picture I saw and
tape them to the walls in my bedroom. I continued to be horse crazy even
as I became an adult. My husband promised me that some day I would have a
horse. I was 42 years old when that day came. My daughter had been riding
at a local barn since she was 8. We got her a horse when she was 11 and because
we lived in the middle of town, boarded it at the stable. I vowed that some
day, I would have a horse too and we could ride together. She was 12 and
I was 42 when a barn buddy called to see if I would want her daughter's horse.
Her daughter had just graduated from nursing school and wouldn't have the
time or money to keep her horse, Dalton. I couldn't believe my ears! Of course
I wanted him!! She said that they would just give him to me, they wanted
him to have a good home. I was so excited!! I took his picture to work with
me and showed everyone my horse! They probably thought I was crazy.....a
42 year old woman acting like a giddy little girl!! He was 22
but looked and acted much younger!
I renamed him Ajax, for the cleaner commercials back in the 60s and
70s. He loved to go fast, like a white tornado!! I worked on slowing him
down and getting him to stand while I mounted. He was such a beautiful horse!
He had been a Shriner's horse and had been ridden in parades in his younger
days. The first time I cantered on him, I remember hollering outloud, "I'm
42 years old and I'm cantering on my horse!"
Three years after I
had gotten him, we were able to buy a beautiful farmhouse on 4 acres. My
lifelong dreams had been fulfilled!! My daughter and I couldn't believe that
we would be able to go out and see our horses any time we wanted. The horses
loved their new home! They were big buddies! Every time my daughter and I
would ride, I would say,"It doesn't get any better than this!" It was so
true!
Last summer Ajax suffered a bowed tendon. It healed and we could once again
go riding! Then a few months ago, I noticed that he was limping. The vet
came and said that scar tissue from the tendon was drawing his hoof up towards
the back of his leg. His fetlock joint was being pushed forward. He recommended
that I put him down. I immediately started crying and told him I had waited
all of my life to have a horse. He said we could try a surgery to cut some
of the tendons that were being drawn up. I said that I wanted to at least
give it a shot. Ajax had the surgery and had a cast for 3 weeks. Everyone
that loved him came to sign his cast with a brightly colored marker!! When
the cast came off, it was obvious that it hadn't helped as much as was hoped.
The vet said we could give him a few days to see if it loosened up. By the
third day, I could tell it was getting worse and he was in more pain. I called
the vet to come and check his leg. I knew what the outcome would be! The
vet told me the words I didn't want to hear!
I gave Ajax some of
his favorite treat, carrots! The vet left me with him to say my goodbyes.
I kissed his velvety soft nose and told him how much I loved him and that
I had done everything I could. My whole family came out to be with him and
me. I had to lead Ajax to the pasture for the vet. It broke my heart!! I
kept apologizing to him for making him walk on his sore leg. He was such
a good boy!! He tried just for me. I kissed him one more time before he passed
away.
Thank you, Ajax, for
bringing out the little girl in me again! I will never forget you and all
the funny things you did! The things I will miss the most about my beautiful,
white horse are:
The way he loved to
smell the Herbal Essence shampoo in our hair. He would sniff our whole
head.
His low nicker when
he knew his feed was coming. My daughter called him Elvis because of
it.
Watching him gallop
so proudly around the pasture.
Standing at his stall
door and just watching him eat.
The way he looked
like a fuzzy, little bunny when he got his winter
coat.
His soft, velvety nose that I loved to kiss.
The way he was so
good with all of the children who brushed, fed and kissed
him.
But most of all, I will
miss the rides that I had on him.
I love you, boy!! Thanks for bringing back
the part of my spirit that loves horses!! I'll never forget you!
Your loving owner,
Angela
Ajax 
