Rainbow Bridge

JUST A HORSE

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it’s just a horse", or, "that’s a lot of money for just a horse".

They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a horse". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse".

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse", but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you think it’s "just a horse", then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a horse" brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman".

DAKOTA WAS NOT "JUST A HORSE" – May she ride free in the "Meadows" of heaven. November 2007

March 16, 2009

I have some sad news. I had to put down Lucky this morning after developing laminitis. He died peacefully with the help of Dr. Anita Dennison. He lived the last several months living in a big pasture in retirement. He lived to be 35 years old. Last December I was still riding him in dressage. He loved the trails of Meadowview. I have cried all day and will miss him dearly. He was a Lucky horse to live such a great life.

Best,

Lori Nelson

TESS

6/12/1982 - 11/07/2008

Tess came to us from an Arabian Ranch in Orange County in June of 1991. Her owners had been starving their entire herd due to lack of funds, but refused to sell any horses for less than top dollar. After talking to the trainer at the ranch, we were allowed to purchase her and the trainer promised to use the funds to feed the other 26 horses. She kept her promise.

Although every single bone on her body was protruding when she arrived and she clearly was not worth the money we paid for her, we knew her potential. She immediately took a liking to our daughter, Kelli and quickly gained weight. We learned very early never to take her out of her stall right after being fed. She decided she would never be hungry again and she wasn't.

Tess had been a champion show horse at three years old but we enjoyed her most as our trail horse. She could be really cranky on the ground. Our vet facetiously called her "cupcake". She took a certain pleasure annoying me in the pasture, pretending to kick and bite. But she adored Kelli, and under saddle was the best trail horse ever.

We were lucky to have her for 17 years and she will always be in our hearts. She is survived by her horse husband, Beau, sister Lacey, and various other pasture mates.

Jan Austin