One day in April of 2006,
I was at the barn on a normal day having riding lessons
with my son and daughter. After being totally scared of horses to the point
I shook when I was near one, I decided it was time to get over that fear.
I pushed myself every lesson to just get on the back of the horse. I would
stand so that there was no way a foot could get stepped on. And far enough
back so that I couldn't get bit. I barely moved hair when I brushed because
I stood back so far. I now look back and I must have looked quite funny.
A truck pulled up towing
a horse trailer and I could hear the poor horse that was in the back "screaming"
to get her out of there. When she came off the truck, I was completely awestruck.
Here stood this poor horse covered with so much mud and mats that you couldn't
really tell she was a grey thoroughbred. She was so skinny and so wounded
and scared. She had been placed in a pasture with a very mean stud who ran
her through barbed wire. She had basically been left to die. When she came
to the farm, her wounds were festering on her back legs. She couldn't barely
bend them. It was very evident that the wounds were a couple of weeks old
and had never even been washed out. I had commented about how sad she looked.
And also knew then, this horse would be mine.
After a few weeks of washing her wounds every day and brushing her,
it was amazing to me how such a beautiful animal could be so neglected. She
became mine on April 17, 2006 and Sad turned into Sadie and also the beginnings
of a DIVA. She quickly became the lesson horse of choice by not just me and
my children, but anyone else who could ride her. And I think she knew when
she began to see purple coming at her it meant it was time for her to shine.
Everything from Sadie's halter, brush sets, saddle pads, winter blankets,
etc. were a very bright purple. She looked good and she knew it. Within only
a few weeks, Sadie taught me compassion, love, confidence, responsibility
and reward. I no longer shook with fear when I was near her. My children
learned so much on her. Both of them blossomed on her. Jess couldn't wait
to jump her. Then winter settled in...
My little princess, the
one who had her grain twice a day, the best winter blanket made, a heated
100 gallon water tank and free-choice hay (I vowed she would never miss another
meal!!!) began to colic. I called the vet immediately on Saturday morning
when I noticed the signs of looking at her side and pawing. The vet said
it was a soft impaction (she was probably eating snow and not enough water)
and that we caught it in plenty of time. Fast forward to evening...she ate
her bran mash mixture right up, was very chipper, and there was evidence
that someone (I have 2 horses) definitely went to the bathroom several times
in the run-in. We mistakenly assumed that she had passed the impaction.
The next morning it was -10 degrees out when I woke up at 6:30. I bundled
up tight and went out in the dark to check on her. My baby was down and
completely frozen and very, very sick. After administering some banamine
and wrapping her in hot blankets from the dryer, we moved her back to the
farm we bought her from as they could help me warm her up better. She went
into a stall with heat lamps and more blankets. Still no droppings. Once
we had her warmed and stable enough to make the long trip to Cornell University,
we were on our way. Again, the team of doctors who took care of her said
that although it was a soft impaction, it was quite large and she would never
pass it on her own. Sadie spent 2 days in the ICU unit at Cornell to make
sure she was okay and then came home on Tuesday. My baby was healing and
on a lot of medicine and 24 hour care from the farm. She stayed in her stall
except for short walks to help keep her system moving. On Thursday night
- January 25 - on my way home from work, I received the call. I knew when
I saw the number that something was wrong. Oooh how I didn't want to answer
that phone, "Sadie is down, she is in a lot of pain and shock, it appears
her bowels have ruptured internally. We need to put her
down."
I was at the farm within
20 minutes and held my baby and cried my eyes out as I said my goodbyes and
my thank yous to her. Sadie, you were so happy for the last 9 months of your
life. You were my teacher, my best friend and confidant. And we spoiled you absolutely rotten and I think
you knew it. I will never forget the look in your eyes as your head laid
in my lap when they gave you that shot. I was only able to love you for such
a short time, but you made such a big impact on me and my life. I'm not sure
if I will ever find another horse whom I will love the way I did you, but
one day I hope so...as I would do it all over again for the love that was
returned.
You took care of me and my children and I will forever be grateful for
that. We miss you and love you and can't wait until the day we can be with
you again...