The Unseen Impact

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 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. 

Revelation 21: 4

I always try to be strong when it comes the end for our animals.  I always remind my kids that this is part of the circle of life and that we all live and we all die, but it is what happens in the middle that we leave our impact.  However, when things come unexpected sometimes the strong is no longer there.  

I love my horses, sometimes I think I am an overbearing horse mom.  I want to make sure they have time to be horses, yet are ready to help those who we work with, have proper health care, foot care, and everything in between.  I knew that I was looking at a year where our two ponies would need to be retired at the end.  I knew next season was going to be some adjusting with new faces but I never expected it to be as soon as it came.  

On the first of this month, we said good bye to our Doll.  It was not the day I planned at all.  It was a Saturday, Beautiful weather, and a day full of lessons.  I was ready, lesson plans, prepared our volunteers, everyone told me Doll had not eaten the night before which has happened before.  She will fill up and not eat over night so I was not too concerned.  She was supposed to come up to me at the second lesson so I told everyone I would keep an eye on her.  Once they brought her up I knew she was not feeling good and things seemed off.  I halted the lesson and didn't know what to do other than think to try and get this kiddo his lesson.  I wanted nothing more than to make sure the rider was good and the horse.  I did a check on Doll and called the vet.  I knew it wasn't good and that it was the end.  We cancelled the day, and I expected the volunteers to leave.  I mean this stuff is not always for the faint of the heart, but everyone stayed and surrounded Doll.  I don't think you realize the impact that a horse has made on people till it's time to say goodbye.  Doll had not been here long three years, but in those three years she made a BIG Impact! One that looking back I didn't realize.  My son basically grew up with "his" pony.  I look at his pictures when she first came to how he did in his year with 4H with her last year.  I watched riders evolve from being led, to riding her alone.  I watched people build their own horse handling confidence with Doll as she had that little bit of giddy up and go.  I wasn't ready for this day to come, and I was struggling and if I am being honest...I still am.  I am not sure if the kids will enjoy moving to a different horse. Some have, and some have not tried yet.  It is a change and I wasn't ready yet, but Doll was.  

It was time to say good bye whether I was ready or not.  I miss seeing Doll in the barn, the boys racing her to her stall, and the noises her and Beauty would make.  I miss that trusty unicorn pony, but I know that she is now pain free, running in fields of green ready for her next rider.  

As for us, we are preparing for that next season of life.  The next new face that will be apart of our program for years to come.  A new opportunity to train a horse, to gain trust, and of course make friends with the other girls. I am looking forward to the adventures that are about to come as we look for that new unicorn pony or maybe two! I pray that God guides the process and that we find that right fit.  When one season of life ends another begins making life full of different stories.  


Farming Always with Faith & Family! 

God Bless, 

Amanda 


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