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March 30, 2005 - April 17, 2011
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Cortez was a Throroughbred/Mangalarga Marchador cross. From the moment he was born he got milk from his dam and I was his "Mom". Cortez trusted me entirely and would go wherever I went and do anything that I told him to do. When he heard my voice he would come running from wherever he was to greet me. He was very possessive of his Mom, but learned that I can give attention to his "brothers" and "sisters," too.
Ever since Cortez was a foal he loved to nap in the hay. I would sit in the hay with him and he would nap with his head in my lap. We had a very special bond. I was the first person on his back, I did most of his training myself. Selfishly, I didn't let many other people ride Cortez because he was perfectly trained. I did, however, let my boyfriend ride him; it was quite humorous. Cortez did what he was told mostly because I was telling him what to do; he glared at me as if to say, "He's NOT my Mom!".
When Cortez was 2 1/2 we had an accident and fell together, breaking my arm. Cortez was so upset that he tried to nudge me to get up and when that didn't work he grabbed my shirt and pulled with his teeth.
In the summer we would play with the hose and take turns squirting each other. When I would lead him out of the pasture he would often pull on my ponytail.
When my Dad met Cortez he said, "Look at those eyes; if you get one like that in your entire life you're lucky." He was right, I was lucky.
There are many more stories of Cortez that I am not strong enough to tell right now because I am grieving; he is gone way too soon, at only 6 years old. He is so much more than the freak accident and infection that took him from me. He was my best friend, my confidant, and my baby - truly my everything. I am so lucky to have him, even for such a short time.
Kristina
Cortez's Mom
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Cortez 
