Trigger came into my life
like a whirlwind. I found him on a horse classified website December of 2002.
I fell in love with him at first sight. I never did get to go see him
before I paid for him, but I didn't care. I had the people deliver him
to me. The same day, my mom's friend bought a horse from the same people,
so I had Trigger delivered with him. I immediately put him into my horse
trailer and took him over to the boarding stable where I had a stall
ready for him. As soon as he got off the trailer, I knew something was wrong.
He was lame at even a walk. Got the shoes pulled off and took him to a vet
for x-rays. He had navicular. No real big deal. With careful trimming and
TLC, he was fine. I rode him in parades and at the local county fair. I finally
brought him home here to the farm and in between then and now, I bought
2 more horses. But neither one of them took Trigger's place. I was his human
and he wouldn't let any other horse near me. He loved me that
much.
He loved his favorite treats:
apples from the apple tree in the yard and horse treats. When he saw me pick
an apple, he would get all excited and start making circles, then turn back
to the gate and start nickering again. He taught both of the horses I have
how to nicker to me for food and treats. He was always careful not to bite
or nip me when he took treats from my hands. He loved to be groomed and loved
upon.
On March 15, 2008, I noticed
something was wrong. He was pawing and laying down and getting back up again.
I called my regular vet and left a message. When I didn't hear from him in
an hour, I got desperate and called a vet who I have never dealt with before.
He gave him a shot of banamine and left. I went to work that night, thinking
he was fine and would be at the gate, waiting and nickering for his breakfast.
To my surprise, instead, I found him laying in the barn in a hole he dug
while pawing all night. This time I called my regular vet and waited for
him to call me back. He did and said he would be out in a half hour. He showed
up and we went over the options. The vet thought he had already twisted his
stomach and didn't think that with his age he would make it through surgery.
So I made the difficult decision to end his pain and suffering. I held his
head in my lap and told him how sorry I was and how much I loved him. I know
he fought hard for me cause I kept begging and pleading for him not to leave
me.
I still do love you, my
sweet Trigger. I hope you do forgive me. I know you are at the rainbow bridge,
waiting for when we can be together again. You will always be in my heart.
I know there will be other horses in my life, but none will ever replace
you.
Trigger 
