Stories like this send ice down my spine. EVENTING NATION: A tribute to horses from Boyd Martin's program lost in the barn fire As the author says, you always have the scary stuff hovering on the outskirts of your brain (you should see me before a trail ride), but to hear of a tragedy of this magnitude, the loss of six such incredible horses, gah. It triggers lizard-brain terror levels in me.
I know all things must come to an end, but in my mind that is an eventuality--easily 15 or 20 years away from now. What would it be like to wake up and know you'd never have that soft nose in your face (or your pocket) again? Never hear that nicker as you walked up the path to their paddock? What if there was absolutely nothing you could do? Would that make it better? Or would it make it worse? And what if was due to something you did? How could you ever live with yourself?
But before I spiral into complete neurosis, I think I will refocus on sending thoughts and sympathies to those owners and trainers in this accident. My condolences goes out to each and every person who had the joy of working with and knowing these magnificent horses, companions, athletes.
Hush lizard-brain. The ponies are safe and sound, if most likely a little muddy. Maybe this is just a reminder not to take them for granted, to take the time to savor what they bring to my life, rather than envisioning terrifying scenarios.
Bar says it would be good to remember this bit and get out of work in time tomorrow to see him. With carrots. Plenty of carrots.
1 comment:
I hate keeping horses in barns, for this very reason. 15 horses perished in barn fire here in 2008.
I know that most of our horses will pass before I do. I sincerely hope that they go in their sleep, or because I have the courage to let them go when they have outlived their bodies.
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