Trywan, an 11-year-old
thoroughbred, was donated to Equus Heals, a non-profit therapeutic riding
program that I began in January 2000 for children with special needs. Trywan
moved in easily and appeared very willing to share the barn with our three
other horses, two cats, three dogs, a potbellied pig and a
rabbit.
Trywan, a beautiful bay,
seemed to be prone to injuries as she came to us with a horrible scar on
one leg from getting into barb wire sometime in her life and a deformed frog
on one hoof. This did not seem to interfere with her ability to walk, though.
On the day she arrived, she cut her forehead while getting into the trailer
and had to have stitches. She developed skin problems easily and often managed
to get scrapes when the other horses didn't. I spent more time soaking her
hooves in buckets than any other horse. Trywan would be perfectly sound,
and then all of a sudden be lame, and then magically better. The vet and
farrier couldn't find any reason for her recurring difficulties.
In a program like Equus
Heals, the kids always pick a favorite horse, as well as the volunteers and
make "claim" to them. Kids and volunteers often chose Trywan to ride or groom.
If she was having an off day and could not participate in the program, the
kids were always disappointed. It meant so much more to them if they could
ride "their horse". Even with all the ailments that occurred sporadically
with Trywan, she was always a gentle soul with the kids and volunteers, always
focused on doing "her job".
Trywan never missed a beat
in taking any activity in stride. She loved the kids no matter what difficulty
they were having outwardly and took her job seriously. For example, kids
with autism that might have episodes of screaming, flapping their arms, hitting
or kicking; kids riding her with braces, kids moving up to her in their
wheelchairs, kids riding backwards or standing up on a bareback pad while
held by a volunteer. She never flinched as a kid sat on her back and caught
and threw balls even when one would occasionally bounce off her side or head.
She took it in stride as a child knocked dinosaurs off the fence post with
a noodle, shot water guns at volunteers/parents and had them shoot back,
had shaving cream smeared over her butt so the child could practice writing
their ABCs or numbers....and many of the other therapeutic exercises that
might help kids who have special needs.
I know Trywan came to me
for a reason. She had a profound understanding about having special needs,
as she had her own. She found a place where she had a purpose and served
so many who loved her dearly while she was here and will always have a special
place in their heart for her.
Over the past year, she
developed severe heaves, which became progressively worse. Nothing seemed
to help her, even with different meds, special hay, beet pulp, pasture and
other things that were suggested for a horse with heaves. She became worse,
losing weight and her body began to break down. My vet told me that I needed
to begin thinking about letting her go. How could I do this? I loved her,
as well as all the kids and volunteers who she had helped prior to becoming
ill. Yet, this was no life for her.
The wisdom of horses is so
beyond humans. Trywan's herd of seven was ready to let her go before I could
come to terms with it. They were resolved, as was she. On the day I helped
her pass over, her herd was silent in reverence, helping her to move on.
I know this to be true because they never allow one to leave without being
very vocal. On May 25, 2006 at 1:15 p.m., I helped her cross over the rainbow
bridge with my vet's assistance. She calmly moved into the spirit world.
My 9-year-old granddaughter, who loved Trywan with all her heart, told me
"She has now gone on to live in the blue pastures in the sky". Trywan's
hoofprints will be on my heart forever. And, someday mine, and many other
hearts, will stop aching.
Sandy Tull
Trywan 
