There has been a fog of sadness over the barn the last few days. A good horse died on Sunday. No matter how many times I go thru this, I am never prepared.
SUNDAY MORNING
Ana yelled out from the barn, "I think Merced is sick!"."N0!, not today", were my first thoughts as I ran to the barn. When I looked into her stall, Ana was helping to keep Merced from falling down. Cindy ran into help Ana. Merced's eyes were bulging, hot under her blanket and her gums were grey. It brought back the memories of how Canada died .
"Hang on Merced", as I dialed Liz's number. Liz showed up just moments after Merced laid down. She could not stand up any longer. Liz kneeled down and took a look into Merced's eyes and she knew her good friend was checking out. Liz said goodbye, hugged Merced and told her it was okay to go. But Merced with her big heart did not want to let go. She fought hard to stay, real hard. I was frantically calling all the Veterinarians on my list. Everybody was busy or out of town. I was heartbroken to see her in so much pain. We all hugged and cried.
Merced in her prime of 18 years was always nuzzling for hugs n' scratches. This was tough,... real tough on everybody that knew Merced. Merced connected with people very easily and touched many hearts here on the ranch. It is good to know that Merced has a great baby, Tess, who has the spirit of her Mom. But it does not hurt any less.
Horses are so strong and majestic, but so fragile at the same time.
We have all been sad. I have tears in my eyes as I type. We lost a good friend.
The big hurt....the price we pay... for the Love of Horses.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Frosty Mornings
This cold weather has the horses and ponies a bit "riled up" as the sun came up this morning.
Earlier I did some mundane paperwork, (bills and such) as my husband brewed the coffee and buttered the toasted raisin bread for breakfast. We talked about how marketing can shape our beliefs as the coffee was poured. He used the phrase, "cut down on dairy products", as an example. How often have we heard that phrase coming from the health industry? "Pass the butter please" as my husband toasted more bread. And what about "eat less red meat? ".
"BEEF, it's what's for dinner", I said as I laced up my boots with both dogs at my feet trying to help. Timed perfectly, the radio news guy on our favorite talk radio station reported that kids are not getting enough vitamin D in their diets because of thier "in-house, tv and computer" lifestyle. "Well the kids here at the ranch don't have that problem, they get plenty of exercise and sun", my husband told the radio announcer. "And the dairy farmers around here work the farm into their late 80's", he added. The radio news guy did not answer him. We both walked down the back steps together, coffee cups in hand. We were greeted by the sun peeking over the hills.
Time to clean up horse poop and feed the animals and get ready for my 9 am lesson. I hope the horse shoer comes today. It's still going to be a good day if he doesn't.
Coffee tastes extra good on these frosty mornings.
Earlier I did some mundane paperwork, (bills and such) as my husband brewed the coffee and buttered the toasted raisin bread for breakfast. We talked about how marketing can shape our beliefs as the coffee was poured. He used the phrase, "cut down on dairy products", as an example. How often have we heard that phrase coming from the health industry? "Pass the butter please" as my husband toasted more bread. And what about "eat less red meat? ".
"BEEF, it's what's for dinner", I said as I laced up my boots with both dogs at my feet trying to help. Timed perfectly, the radio news guy on our favorite talk radio station reported that kids are not getting enough vitamin D in their diets because of thier "in-house, tv and computer" lifestyle. "Well the kids here at the ranch don't have that problem, they get plenty of exercise and sun", my husband told the radio announcer. "And the dairy farmers around here work the farm into their late 80's", he added. The radio news guy did not answer him. We both walked down the back steps together, coffee cups in hand. We were greeted by the sun peeking over the hills.
Time to clean up horse poop and feed the animals and get ready for my 9 am lesson. I hope the horse shoer comes today. It's still going to be a good day if he doesn't.
Coffee tastes extra good on these frosty mornings.
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