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Mustang/Saddle
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| May 4, 2005 - December 10. 2009 |
My Tonto was born on May 4, 2005. He was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I woke up before daylight that morning all excited because I knew that he was here. I jumped out of my bed and turned circles in excitement, but I knew that I couldn't see if he was here or not because it was still dark outside at the time. So I laid back down for a while. As soon as the light hit my eyes that morning, I was up and looking out of my back door, and low and behold, there they were, momma and baby standing at the gate staring down into the house. It was like they knew that I knew he was finally here. I was so excited I didn't know whether or not to just run outside without my clothes on or to take the time to put my clothes on, then go up and see them. Honestly I don't remember what I did, all I remember is that it was love at first sight. I spent all day every day in the pasture with him. I touched and loved on him every single day. He would even lay down in my lap and sleep.
He hurt himself really bad. He was almost 2 and I had not worked with him on loading before. We had a stock trailer and it scared him. He reared up and hung himself in the corner of the trailer. He was just hanging there. I aquired so much strength from somewhere, I held my baby up so that he wasn't just hanging there by his hoof. I was so scared, it had almost taken his hoof off. It was like one of my kid's being hurt and not knowing what to do, or how to make it better. You grow up all your life being told that kisses would make everything better, well if that was the case he couldn't have been in any pain. I knew better though. It took some time, but he healed up and was good as new. To look at him now, you would never think that he had such a tramatic experience loading into a trailer. He loads like he had done it all his life.
After this, I started riding my Tonto. His first ride was exciting. He would jump anything. It could be a small mud puddle and he would jump it. He was so protective. He even punked out a few of the other horses that was riding with us. I still have yet to figure out if it was him protecting me or his girlfriend that he pastured with. It didn't matter to me, I could always control him, but I found it funny that he thought that no one was to be close to us. The bond that we shared was amazing. He was such a good boy. My best friend, my pride and joy. A friend told me once that I had done an amazing job with him. It felt so good, because I had done it all for me and for him. I promised him that we would be together forever. I thought that, anyway.
He is 4 now, and this last month has been so hard for me and him. He recently started having nosebleeds. We couldn't figure out what was happening to him. Everyone was telling me how dangerous it was for his nose to be bleeding. So after a few days and it didn't stop, I decided to go and see our vet. Still not thinking that it was anything serious because he was so young. My vet was just dumbfounded. He ran some bloodwork on him. He told me that it would take about 20 minutes to get the results in. That was the longest 20 minutes ever. He came back out and the news that he had we never expected. His red blood cells were dramatically low and his blood platelets were at 0. His immune system was fighting against itself. He didn't know why or how, but it was serious. He started him on steriod shots and giving him iron. He told me that I needed to keep him up in a stall. I hated that, he had never had to be stalled before. I feel like every horse needs to run free. But if I wanted to save him, I must do this. He told me that if Tonto made it through the next 6 days, that he would be over the hump.
He had got better for a few weeks, but once his steriod shots was done, he started bleeding again. This time it didn't seem as serious as before. The bleeding wasn't as dramatic. So I decided that I wanted to get a second opinion. I took him to an equine specialist close to my house. To make a long story short, I got the news that I was dreading to hear. They had suspected that Tonto had started bleeding internally. This was on Monday December 7th. My baby lost his fight 3 days later on December 10th.
I feel so lost. Every day I went outside to see him. He would wait for me at the gate. If I didn't come up right away to see him, he would stay there until I came to see him. He was the first one I would go to, and the last one I would see before I left the pasture. Now, it is hard for me to even go into the pasture. I feel like there is nothing up there for me now, but I know my other horses need me too. I hope that by doing this memorial for him it will help me be able to go on with my everyday duties.
I know that he is in a better place, and he is not in pain anymore. But mine is just starting. I love you, my sweet boy. You will forever be in my heart and soul. We will meet again one day on the trail to heaven.
Tonto my dearest
I miss you so much
The rides that we shared
Make my heart glow
A good boy you were
Through thick and through thin
Just know that you were my best friend
When I was down
Around your neck my arms flew
Every good time I had
I owe all to you
Now you're in heaven
To run and to play
I know in my heart
I'll see you again someday
Until that day comes
When we meet up above
In my heart for you
Will always be love.
Charity
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Tonto
