Not every little girl gets
to have the horse of her dreams and not every horse gets to have the little
girl of her dreams. As you look back in life, you wonder where all the years
have gone, and cherish those that have spent that time with you. I listened
to my sister the other day sob as she told me about her loss of Strawberry
Rose who was later known as Boo. My heart truly broke for
her.
Boo, a 14.5hh sorrel mare
with lots of love in her heart, was purchased as a yearling for my horse-crazy
sister who was 9 years old at the time. My parents were thinking Danielle
and Boo "could grow up together", and that they did. The deep bond that these
two had would ensure that Boo would remain with Danielle for a lifetime.
Danielle had her hands full with this rambunctious little ball of fire, but
Danielle never denied Boo the love and care that she deserved.
Danielle tried to include
Boo in all her life activities. She took her hunting, camping, on moonlight
rides with her high school sweetheart (now husband Shaun), trail rides, swimming,
a foal, and I have to admit that if Danielle had a hitching post at work
and school, she would have ridden her to those two places. Boo also entertained
Danielle's two children later on and helped Trace and Alex see that horses
can have kind souls and big hearts.
There were times that life
got in the way and riding was limited, but Boo was never denied proper care
and love. However, one of these times came as a blessing for me. I was able
to share the fun and excitement of riding Boo, and a bond formed that the
three of us would never forget. Danielle and I are about 7 years apart in
age and our first real relationship began in a field with Boo. I had started
4-H and Danielle was determined to help me succeed in the show ring. Every
day after Danielle got off work, she, Boo, and I would venture out to that
field and work on equitation, leads, and all sorts of things to get us show
ring ready. That first year we brought home ribbons and I think that Danielle
was just as excited as I was!!! Boo and I qualified for the State Fair that
year (they only took the top three in the county), and I know that it was
as a result of my sister, her determination, and the love between the three
of us in the field that summer.
As an adult later on in
life, every time I saw Boo, I would go over to her, scratch her forehead
and think back to that special summer in the field by our house. She gave
us more than the gift of love, she taught us about hard work, dedication,
determination, happiness, tears, life and of course, loss. We will always
remember that little doe-eyed mare, especially every time we put a foot in
the stirrup, we will think of where it all began.
Remember that horses are a precious
gift. We ask them to do so many things that are so unnatural to them, except
to love and trust. Remember to love your horse, and give them a good pat
on the neck. Thanks, Boo, for all that you did.
Kim Fuqua
Strawberry Rose 
