Immense Sorrow

It is with immense sorrow that I write that last week I had to put my horse of 22 years to rest.  I have had Maggie since I was nine years old.  Maggie was an amazingly well broke horse that was far from tempermental acting and was reliable.  Every time you rode Mags it would be the same.  No surprises.  That was one of my favorite features of her aside from her stunning beauty.  She had gorgeous eyes and was talkative.  She would greet you in the barn, in the trailer or in the field with a soft nicker. 
Maggie got me through those uncomfortable teenage years.  Those times when I was sure the world would end or should end I would take off out the back field bareback on Maggie and return refreshed.  I would cry, sing, laugh and swat spiderwebs on Mags without her ever flinching. 

I always think of the time when laying down in the summer sun on her back, she  took a few steps for different grass and I fell off.  She didn't move but just looked at me as if to say "what are you doing down there?" 
In the last years of her life she lived in La Harpe with my mom and dad.  She became quite close to my dad as he fed her grain daily.  She would just nicker and talk to him often.  She would talk even more when something new happened around the farm. 
The past few weeks her arthritis in her knees had gotten much worse and was significantly limiting her ability to walk.  When the pain medicine didn't work anymore she stopped eating or drinking and it was her time.  The wonderful ability we have with animals is to keep them from suffering.  I have said my entire life that I would always have Maggie as my horse and I would never let her suffer.  So, last Wednesday October 5th I drove to my parents.  My dad had dug an amazing grave and together we placed straw bedding in the bottom.  I went and got my horse with my dad.  We both cried as she nickered when we walked into the barn.  I placed her halter on her walked her out to the yard so she could have some grass. Dad had given her extra pain medicine so she was doing a little better.  I gave her an apple and as the vet arrived my Dad left for the house.  This was something I needed to do alone.  We walked her closer to the grave and as quickly as the clouds covered the sun my horse was no longer in pain.  The vet silently took his tools and left me. 
A girl buried in the head of her horse. 
My dad and I proceeded to place her in her grave cover her with straw and bury our friend.  I have shed many tears over a horse that has been such a silent but strong, reliable member of my family.  She seemed to be one of the few strands that tied so many changes in my life together.  My last tie to Abilene as that was her birthplace (like me), She lived with us our entire stay in McLouth, and finally resting in La Harpe with my parents. 
There are few people that have the privilege of owning a truly wonderful horse that you can always trust.  She was my friend and will always have a piece of my heart.