Patches and compassion

[glenatron]

Back in 2004, for my 28th birthday, we took on a horse with the aim of him being mine or largely mine as sleepsy_mouse had her little arab to ride. Things didn't really work out that way- said arab's injuries proved to be intractable and in the end Joe was more sleepsy_mouse's horse than mine. Still he was our horse, we both rode him and he was central to our lives for the next few years. Looking back it was not until my seventh post that he got a mention on LJ but he predates it by a considerable time. Of course, he has always been my default userpic. He was the first horse of ours I rode and I learned a whole lot from him. After a few years on loan, his owner, Karen, gave him to sleepsy_mouse in a moment of incredible generosity and intense emotion and he was actually our own horse.

By 2007, not long after we lost Othello, he seemed to be getting uncomfortable both ridden and in groundwork and after various tests and check-ups x-rays indicated arthritic changes in every joint up his forelegs we realised we would have to retire him. A few months later he colicked badly, a sand colic. When it happened again a few weeks later, both times necessitating a visit to hospital, we knew he couldn't stay with us as the soil here is sand and he moved over to live with our friend whose yard is on clay. For the last three years he has lived out with her three mares, considering himself to be stalliano, king of all the stallions. He has, all in all, been very happy over that time, if increasingly creaky and shorter of stride.

This autumn things have gone worse for him- he's found it harder to move and needed more pain medication to get by, some problem in his throat was blocking his breathing and then last week he had a problem with one of his hind feet- maybe an abscess but it didn't show itself through poulticing and with his front legs so sore he was finding it hard to stand. After visiting yesterday and today, sleepsy_mouse, along with our friend Karen who was Joe's human before we were made the hardest decision that we have to make as horse owners. They were both with him at the end.

Pictures of the charming mr. Joseph Pony


Winter riding, long before we moved to our current yard.


Me riding Joe, this must be 2004 I guess. I didn't know how to ride back then but Joe was pretty good at keeping himself between me and the ground.


Under bright spring flowers.


Marching across the field in the glowing sun.


Sleepy Joe rests his head on sleepsy_mouse's lap.


Joe would tell us when his dinnerbowl had accidentally become empty in case we were planning to help him fill it up again. He was helpful like that.


Two old friends both missed. The day Zorro first came to stay, Joe whinnied to him, I think because seeing a black horse in a red halter he thought his friend had come back.


The day he was given to sleepsy_mouse - everyone cried, Joe decided it was too much emotion and ran off. A classic way to break the moment and very funny indeed. This picture was used as the basis for a print by an artist we know.


He took bucking pretty seriously when he did it. It was a lot of cob to fling in the air, even if feathers are for flying.


Joseph Pony.


The day he arrived at his new home, disappearing into glory...








Goodbye Joe.


And the thing is this, really: We only get these gifts, the brilliant, intense and joyous lives that our friends share with us, on credit. The more value they bring to us, the greater the price they extract at the end. And it is always, always worth it.

Joe's legacy for us has been enormous. He really has changed pretty much everything and a world without him is a smaller, sadder place.

So tonight the stars look down on England's gypsy fields and share cold tears for a great and gentle heart and a questioning eye that will receive their light no more, but find instead some greater glory. And somewhere past the tears that mist our sight, our friend finds strong legs to carry him over endless summer fields where no fear can fill him and no harm come to him or the herd that run with him in those bright days.

Joseph Pony, 1993-2010

Comments

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

And an honor, it is, to be able to watch over them long enough to miss them, and know they lived as well as we can arrange.

Much loff.

[spirithorse21.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for you all. I know he will be missed. He was a magnificent steed. *hugs*

[wldhrsjen3.livejournal.com]

We only get these gifts, the brilliant, intense and joyous lives that our friends share with us, on credit. The more value they bring to us, the greater the price they extract at the end. And it is always, always worth it.

This made me cry. I am so sorry ~ but also proud of you for making the choice to set him free.

And I hope you don't mind, but I've printed this out and tucked it into my book of quotes. I know the time is coming when I'll need the reminder.

[wldhrsjen3.livejournal.com]

Beautifully said.

[serennig]

Much sympathies. You did well by him; he did well by you.

[gnapp.livejournal.com]

A gorgeous horse. Beautifully written. Hugs to all of you.

[velessa.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry for your loss. It looks like he led a wonderful life.

[teadog1425.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this - you describe him so beautifully and the photos are stunning, esp the walking into sunlight ones.

Wishing you both much hugs and love at this time. :-(

[spoondog.livejournal.com]

Very sorry to here that. It's so unfair that we can't all be together always. Love and hugs to you both.

[http://users.livejournal.com/blitzen_/]

i love those photos of him in the sun. they're delightful, and wistful and nostalgic, and i don't even know this horse.

i'm glad you got a chance to meet such a wonderful friend.

*hugs* to everyone.

[stu-the-elder.livejournal.com]

As ever, here's my poor offering. Many condolences, Ben and Lou.

(from the Navajo War God's Horse Song)

My horse has a hoof like striped agate;
His fetlock is like a fine eagle plume;
His legs are like quick lightning.
My horse's body is like an eagle-plumed arrow;
My horse has a tail like a trailing black cloud.
I put flexible goods on my horse's back;
The Little Holy Wind blows through his hair.
His mane is made of short rainbows.
My horse's ears are made of round corn.
My horse's eyes are made of big stars.
My horse's head is made of mixed waters--
From the holy waters--he never knows thirst.
My horse's teeth are made of white shell.
The long rainbow is in his mouth for a bridle,
and with it I guide him.
When my horse neighs, different-colored horses follow.
When my horse neighs, different-colored sheep follow.
I am wealthy, because of him.
Before me peaceful,
Behind me peaceful,
Under me peaceful,
Over me peaceful,
All around me peaceful--
Peaceful voice when he neighs.
I am Everlasting and Peaceful.
I stand for my horse.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Thank you, it is indeed.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Of course I don't, I'm glad to be able to make something that makes sense to other people.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Thank you, we really appreciate it.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I sort of knew when I first saw what I had taken that those pictures were part of a gift and a goodbye from him.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

That one always gets me.

[skiesfirepaved.livejournal.com]

Wordsmith indeed; the last paragraph was beautiful, and it made me cry. I know what a heartbreaking decision it is to make, but as I said earlier, you absoloutly did the right thing by him. He's finding old friends now. You gave him a wonderful life and a fantastic retirement - a very fine stallion of the herd he must have made, too. :)

The end sequence of photos was beautiful and sad and right. Your line "Joe decided it was too much emotion and ran off" made me smile - imagine how he must be galloping around now.

Many hugs and quiet thoughts for you and Lou. You are the absoloute best pair of humans Joe could have ever hoped to own.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[skye-ds.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry *hugs*
Fly free across green pastures, beautiful patchy pony...

[shiva-matimbres.livejournal.com]

Joe was best pony ever - the first horse I met properly and the only one I've ever ridden. He was a dude, and I can't imagine how hard it is for you guys to lose him.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I found pictures of you riding him while I was looking for pictures for this. He was such a great teacher.

[baddynono.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.