Once she has completed her breakfast, she and I will head out to the practice arena for some quite time together. An easy lunging session will get her muscles warmed up, and after that we'll make the short walk back to the barn to get her groomed and ready for her final public performance. Her mane and tail will be braided, her hooves polished to a glossy shine, and her coat groomed to perfection. She will then head out for the last time as a "show" horse.
I must admit, I have tears in my eyes as I type this. It could be from the joy of knowing how far she has come. It could be from an amazing sense of accomplishment that I feel. It could be from the memories of seeing this mare on the brink and knowing how hard this journey has been for her. But she never gave up. She knew it wasn't her time yet and that she had a purpose. Her drive and determination is awe-inspiring.
Her career as a show horse may have been brief with us, but after everything she has been through, she deserves a special retirement ceremony. If you are in the area, please feel free to join us tomorrow around 10am for Faith's Championship class at the Deerfield Fair. And of course, everyone is welcome back at the barn to meet her in person. :-)
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I am sitting here absolutely stunned and amazed at this story and how it has ended. I was with you at Deerfield Fair in spirit, and you are all to be congratulated. The real winner in all this, of course, was Faith, but she certainly taught us all some very important lessons about life and responsibility and being good stewards. I think Faith will do well in her retirement.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you ALL, and please give Faith a special kiss from her TB cousin here in the High Desert of Southern California.
Wow! What an amazing story! I have been browsing this blog for about two hours after reading about it on fuglyhorseoftheday! That is such a beautiful mare and I was almost in tears when I saw her first pictures. Also, you are such an excellent writer! I felt like I was there with you the whole time throughout all of the posts.
ReplyDeleteFrom rainy, rainy, North Texas
-Abracadabra
Bless her heart, and bless yours for saving her and giving her the gift of life.
ReplyDeleteCan't be there, but hope to see some picures of the ceremony here. A beautiful girl like that deserves flowers!
I remember seeing this blog right after the rescue. I need to start at the beginning & read all the way thru. What an incredible job you have done with this horse! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have followed Faith's story from the beginning and then started watchin Linus, too. What an accolade for a fabulous mare who never quit. She deserves this ceremony for who she was, is now, and whatever the future holds for her. Where does she go from here? I somehow do not think the back forty is where she needs to be. Do her little girls use her for lessons? Does that make her happy? I would take her for the rest of her life, but have no room or the money to keep her (or Linus--and how is he doing BTW?). I just cannot take them all.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Faith (and you)! I am so amazed by how far Faith and Linus have come. Thank you so much for sharing their stories.
ReplyDeleteI have read your blog from the very beginning. I wish I could meet Faith in person. But, I hope you know, you have done a LOT for this mare and that she deserves her retirement. She has worked hard in her life and has gone through some very hard times. You did a great thing by taking her under your wing. You were very brave to do this. Faith's story has brought me to tears and to laughter. I've been deeply touched by her and I think everyone would like to express how brave you are for taking her on and bringing her back to health. My hat's off!
ReplyDeleteI had the honor of meeting Faith yesterday. Congratulations to you both!
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog through fuglyhorseoftheday and sat all day reading and crying about this wonderful mare and her equally wonderful rescue through you. God bless you, Julie, for helping out one of the throw aways we are seeing too much of lately, and also for Linus and all the horses and critters you have rescued or helped in some way. May God's blessing shine on you and yours always.
ReplyDeleteGOOD JOB JULIE!! she is an amazing horse now i had a lot of fun riding her she was really good :) Your dream came true! By October you wanted Faith to be in the show ring and she was!
ReplyDeleteLucy!<3