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AQHA Registered mare
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May 9, 1987 - July 28, 2006
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When I was 9 years old my parents decided it was time to buy me a new horse. Something bigger and faster to barrel race on. They asked what I wanted and I said I wanted a dark brown horse with a light brown nose like the stallion from Man From Snowy River. When they saw Chic they just knew she was the one and they decided to look no further. The next day they brought her home to me.
Chic was different from my current barrel gelding, Buck (RIP), who was laid back and easy going. She had spunk and energy and wanted to run run run. She was beautiful. Over the years she became my rock. I loved her dearly to the point that as I grew older it became the family joke that if she would live forever that I would never date or get married, I was so happy just being out at the barn with her. For almost 14 years I barrel raced on her and we knew each other's every move like we shared one brain.
She took care of me through some of the toughest times in my life. Although she had a sweet disposition and you could do anything you wanted to her, as a rule she was not what you'd consider a lovable horse...except to me.
Up until she was 18 (2005) we competed with her winning me one last buckle several months before she got sick. Little did I know that would be our last year competing together.
In January 2006 she started having health problems. After several months of treating her with only enough success that she was living with her issues comfortably, the vet began to fear that Chic had lung cancer. Now the plan was to keep her happy and comfortable as long as possible, focusing on quality of life, not quantity.
About 2 1/2 weeks before she died things got a lot better. She actually started putting weight back on and seemed like her normal spirited self again. This lasted for about two weeks, then almost overnight, it seemed, things started going downhill. On the evening of July 27, as she ate her feed, I buried my head in her mane and bawled, knowing the decision I was afraid I would have to make. I told her I didn't know how I was going to be able to let go, that I couldn't do this alone, and to let me know when she was ready. Then again, like she had for so many years, she took care of me one final time. I did not have to make that decision. The next morning she came up to the corral, laid down, drifted off to sleep, and never woke up. It was very peaceful.
My world literally shattered. As crazy as it may sound, I didn't get out of my pajamas for several days and I slept with her halter for weeks. When you lose the thing that your world revolved around for so long, it's hard to know what to do next. It's been 3 1/2 years now, I'm married, and still have my other two amazing horses that I love, but nothing will ever compare to her. I still have multiple pictures in my house of her, I still have the urge to bury my head in her mane when I'm sad, and I still have nights I cry myself to sleep because I miss her so much. She is definitely a part of me and who I am. I thank God every day that he blessed my life with her presence.
Chic, my precious friend, you are a part of me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. A piece of my heart will forever be missing because it is with you. I love you.
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Chic
