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Peruvian Paso gelding
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April 7, 2000 - January 19, 2012
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Rio’s registered name was Centurion, but as a skinny, awkward yearling, that didn’t suit him at all. Rio was much simpler, and its Spanish meaning “river” reminded me of the luxurious fall of mane that he seemed to have been born with.
He was given to me as a gift when he was one and a half years old; I should have known something was “up” then. Who gives away a purebred horse out of a champion stallion unless there’s something wrong? Indeed, no matter how many groceries and supplements I stuffed into the little guy, he did not put on any weight or muscle, and continued to seem a little on the clumsy side. Turns out he had Wobblers Syndrome and would never be able to carry a rider unless he had surgery to fuse two vertebrae and make more room for his spinal cord where it was being pinched. I went ahead with the costly corrective surgery when he was 2 years old because by that time, I had fallen in love with that sweet, curious little chestnut boy. Rio was always in my space, in my pockets, nuzzling my hair, shoulders, clothes, neck. I’m pretty sure he would have liked me to carry him around if I could have.
During his year long period of rest post-surgery, we spent lots of time just “being” together, which meant he looked pretty darned good with all of the grooming he got. He had dairy cow hips but the best hair in town, and he knew it. He loved to race around the turn-out in some bizarre combination of trot, pace and gait, shaking his mane and squealing his opinion to the world. He was very sensitive, easily spooked, and was quite the comedian. He liked to steal his buddy's saddle pad and toss it in the dirt, or better yet, a nice pile of manure. I could tell he was jealous when I took his pal Trey out for a ride and left him at home, so I started getting him used to wearing tack. I’d never put a horse under saddle before, and certainly didn’t intend to with my precious Rio, who’d need a gentle and kind expert when the time came. But he was SO proud to parade around the paddock in his saddle!
At long last under saddle at three and a half, I worried about working him too hard and causing him injury to his neck/spine. Our trail rides were kept short, but I was so happy to be out with him. And he just loved to go, go, go! Our riding career was short, perhaps three years in all, as he began to alternate between mild bouts of colic each fall and minor lameness issues, and I couldn’t keep him in any sort of condition. Eventually he was “retired” to lawn ornament status and enjoyed being the best little brother and companion to Trey. In the winter of 2011 I could see that his suspensory ligaments were giving out, and when he could no longer find a comfortable way to stand, let alone move around, I knew it was time to let him go.
While I dearly wish I could have had him with me longer, I am grateful for the time I had with Rio, and the many lessons I learned from him. Things like patience, changing my energy to suit my horse, and that there is never just one way to do any one thing. That it’s always up to me to find the best way for the horse in question. He made me a better horsewoman, and brought so much joy and love into my life. I will never forget you, my sweet little red man, or your gentle whiskery kisses.
Deidre
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Rio 
