My dearest Sara, losing
you has been one of the hardest things I have ever been through. When I first
saw you, you belonged to a friend. I used to go brush you all the time. I
could never get over how beautiful you were. Then one day I chose to ride
you; well, okay, it's more like you took me for a ride. You started off great
and then you turned, running full tilt to the barn! You didn't stop when
you got close to the barn; no, you ran me right into your stall! You turned,
looked at me as if you were saying, "Ride STOPS here!". I was determined
to ride you on my terms though. I came back day after day and then one day
you became mine! We still did not see eye to eye on this whole riding thing,
but I loved you too much to give up! I remember one day, getting ready to
ride you and looking you right in the face saying, "Today is where it stops,
we are going to have a good ride or I will sleep in your saddle.". I guess
you believed me because that was the greatest ride ever.
About a month after I brought
you home, you got sick. The vet found a stick stuck in your gum line and
you had gotten a tooth infection from it. He pulled the tooth and you got
better. Then it started. You began to get lots of tooth infections and we
pulled tooth after tooth. When I asked the vet what was going on, he told
me due to your age you were losing your teeth. I was confused because I was
told you were around 6 years old when I brought you home. The vet told me
you were more like 18. So we just did the best we could and then you got
all better. Only thing was that I was told by the vet that riding you with
a bit was not a good idea. He told me to teach you to ride with just a halter
or a hackamore. I tried and woo, that went badly. You stood up with me when
I tried the hackamore and the halter thing only confused you.
After you ran me up in a
cedar tree, I thought that I would never ride you again. Until one day I
met a really awesome friend of mine. He does natural horsemanship and he
took you under his care. In one weekend he had you starting, turning, and
stopping with shifting my weight in the saddle. It was truly amazing! You
and I had lots of wonderful rides after that! My oldest son and I used to
ride you double through the trails. Then when he got big enough, he began
to ride you all by himself! You took such good care of him. I remember that
every time I needed you, you were always there. I can not count the times
I would go to the barn and spend hours telling you my life story and brushing
you until my arms were sore. You were always so loving, putting your head
over my shoulder. What about the late night rides? They weren't long rides,
we would stay close to the barn, but I loved every minute.
There is no better feeling
then running full tilt across the field. I didn't do it much but I felt so
free when we did. I would laugh so hard that I could not breathe when I would
give you a bath! You had this little dance you would do. I will miss that
little dance with all of my heart.
When you got sick last year and I had to take you to UT Vet Hospital; I thought
I was losing you. Thank God our friend found you when he did because I would
not have had this last year with you. I started making you the mash the vet
told me to start and you made it through. Then this winter I started the
mash early in hopes it would help you through the winter. I was putting your
heavy winter blanket on when it got 25 degrees or lower. You loved your blanket!
I was using warm water in your feed. We did this twice a day, but I guess
you were just tired.
When I got the call, I
knew in my heart that you were trying to tell me it was time to let go, but
I was wanting to be selfish! I wanted you to always stay here! When I got
out of my truck and walked up to you lying on your favorite hill, I knew
you were in a lot of pain and for once I don't think you knew it was me.
Every time I got close you would get uneasy. I called the vet in tears. After
he left I could not move, I just stood there crying. When they buried you,
I felt so lost! How could I go through life without you? I think that 27
years old was just too young! When I go feed Angel now it just tears my heart
out over and over! You aren't there in the field with her anymore. You two
would crack me up on how you all would talk to me as I fixed your
feed.
Sara, you are my guardian
angel now and I miss you more than words can explain. You were my best friend
and you made me smile even when I thought it wasn't possible. I will forever
miss bringing you a pear...you would chase me through the field for those
pears! Thanks for all the memories and for the many hoof prints in my heart!
I love you Sara, more than life itself! Good girl, Sara, good girl!
Bridget
Sara 
