March 29, 2000 - June 12,
2007 |
Orion Red was my dream come
true. Everyone tried to tell me that I didn't want a "crazy thoroughbred",
but I knew he was out there somewhere just waiting for me.
I adopted, "Red", as I called him, from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
on August 13, 2005, at the age of 5. He was a great-grandson of Secretariat
and was just as handsome with his copper-colored coat and beautiful head.
I am convinced that even though he won two races, Red never really wanted
to be a racehorse. He just wanted someone to love and spoil him, which is
just what I did.
We sold our home and purchased a farm with 16 acres just for him and his
friends from the boarding stable. We moved him to his new home on May 12,
2007. From that point on, he started losing weight and his vet was baffled
as to his illness. After many tests, the diagnosis was revealed. Red had
leukemia. I tearfully made the arrangements to put him down so to end
his suffering. He was laid to rest facing the barn that we built for him,
and every morning and evening as I go to care for the other horses, I tell
him how much I love and miss him.
Red was physically with me for a very short time, but his spirit will
always be with me. Twice my daughter has seen a chestnut thoroughbred grazing
next to the mare that was his best friend and protector. I myself have seen
four horses instead of three in the moonlight of the pasture. I thank God
that He allowed me to share a portion of my life with this wonderful, loving
and patient horse. I knew nothing about horses and he had to learn how to
just be a horse with no demands and expectations. Together we learned how
to lead, trail ride and win blue ribbons in trail class competition. I will
never know why our time together was so short, but it is priceless.
Rest in peace, my wonderful gift from God. I guess He needed one more
special horse in heaven, so He chose you.
Cynthia Stewart
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