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| She has gained 100# this month! |
Several weeks ago, one of our previous horses trotted back into our lives, and would change how I look at re-homing horses forever.
Mia was our first horse. I purchased her for Katzya when Katzya was 10 years old. Mia has always been the love of our lives and the gold standard in measuring the greatness of horses whom have come after her. Mia is kind, quiet, and is as bombproof of a horse as you can get. As years went by, and Katzya became a more advanced rider, she outgrew Mia in terms of riding ability, not because Mia didn't have the talent, but instead that at 25 years old she just didn't deserve the wear and tear on her body. Because having horses is expensive, I decided we would find Mia a retirement home. In my mind it was a waste of money to pay for a horse if we weren't using it, so I looked for the perfect home for her.
I really did this out of a place of love, and it had been said to me that this is how things normally go. It's pretty common place for show people to retire and re-home their previous horses, so I thought I was doing the best thing for her when trying to find a place where she would only be ridden on occasion and could offer another family the opportunity at having a safe horse. It was supposed to benefit everyone, man and beast.
However I now know, I failed my horse. I let down an animal who deserved so much better of me, and who gave me all she had to give, only to be put in a situation that is going to take a year at minimum to correct and that is IF it can be corrected.
The last month has been full of veterinarian and farrier appointments, a strict food re-introduction diet, and we still don't know what the future holds for her.
I have promised Mia that she is home to stay for good. If she leaves again, it will be because she has taken her last breath. A friend who has given you the best years of her life, and whom you have trusted with your child's life, deserves that and so much more.
