Many of you know that I am an avid horse-rider and have been so for many years. Yesterday I went for my weekly lesson, and was down to ride a new pony. I came across this new pony in a stable I was very familar with, it belonged to a horse named Dennis, who had been one of my favourites. At first I thought nothing of it, but then I spied a pot of flowers by the stable door, which read,
'Rest easy, Dennis, we will all miss you'.
Of course, I was shocked, and I learned that he had come down with a severe bout of colic that just couldn't be cured. He was euthanised peacefully on Wednesday evening at about 26 years old.
I don't have any pictures, but he was a 16 hand, very dark bay cob. He was apparently a rescue horse, whose previous owner had been rough when tacking him up. He was a great feature at the riding school, he was there ever since I first came to the riding school 7 years ago, and probably long before. I got a lot of confidence from him, he was a reliable and lovable mount that never spooked, bucked or reared. I rarely rode him at all for my dressage lessons as I've moved on to more difficult horses, but I can remember feeling so safe when I was on his back.
I felt pretty deflated for the rest of the day, but the impact didn't really hit me until this morning. I had a dream in that I was there, in the stable with him, whilst he passed away. He was lying on his side and I was stroking his head, telling him it was OK and what a good horse he was. I woke up crying as if he was my own horse, what I wouldn't have given for him to be so.
I can't believe that when I saw him last, which was two weeks ago, he was in his stable as normal, and I gave him a pat as I passed. Had I known it was the last time I'd see him alive I'd have given him a good hug and a kiss too.
Rest in peace, Dennis, you are very sorely missed. :(
