Hi Everyone

Back in 1996 I bought my first horse. She was the LOVE of my life. Our time together was too short but there was never a dull moment. Here's the story and lots of pictures.

Hopefully, it won't be too sad. I'm going to attempt to keep it as upbeat as possible.

And, I'm going to TRY to do her justice by telling the story through HER point of view. Wish me luck.

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My fourth birthday came up fast. It only felt like yesterday that I was racing on the track. My legs and hooves still hurt. March is a cold month in Maryland. The cold makes me ache.

The barn owner brought me from the field and took me to my warm stall. It had fresh hay and plenty of straw to lie down in, if I needed. The place was delightful. No more whips. No more running around that track. I absolutely hated to race.

She patted me as I ate my grain dinner.

"Happy Birthday, Maddy."

It was only my fourth birthday, and my career was already over in racing. Oh well.

Several days later, there was something strange happening. The barn owner brought a young teenage girl out to see me in the pasture. She was a tiny little thing that was ear to ear smiles. Her father was following close behind laughing and shaking his head.

"Oh my God! She's gorgeous!"

Yeah, Yeah, I know I'm gorgeous.

The barn owner put on my halter and we left the field together as a group. The girl took me to a grassy patch and let me graze as she picked up my legs one by one, felt my back, checked my mouth and face. I could tell how absolutely giddy she was! The energy from her made me excited and I let out a little buck for no reason. She laughed and her dad said, "I don't know, Colleen. She seems a little too fiesty."

Yep. I'm fiesty! I've got a devil streak in me!

The dad and the barn owner were talking while the girl put my saddle and bridle on. Great. I hate being "ridden". Why don't these lazy humans find another animal to get on the backs of!! Why horses?! But, I grinned and bared as she rode me around the ring.

The next day they returned. Only this time with a mother too. The older humans were talking about "forms of payment". Whatever that meant. But, I very quickly found out! They placed me in a trailer and we were off to God knows where! Why did they do this!? Couldn't they see I was perfectly happy at the old farm?

Weeks passed and I had to admit, the new farm was pretty nice. The girl, called "Colleen" was okay too. She was ALWAYS brushing me and kissing me and feeding me treats. Hey, the treat part I could happily handle! She changed my name from "Madeline" to "Pride". I liked "Pride", "Madeline" was too prissy for me.

I began to feel loved for the first time ever. Every day Colleen would come to my barn and fuss over me. She picked my hooves, brushed my mane and tail and would laugh when I'd go back outside and roll in the mud. I figured she LIKED cleaning me off. So, really I was only helping her out.

Months passed and Colleen and I went riding every day. I really did bond with her. Only she was allowed to ride me. Anyone else and I would buck them off!! But Colleen didn't know something. Every time she rode me, my legs and hips ached. I was a tough girl and didn't want anyone to see my pain.

But soon, I couldn't handle the pain. I didn't know how to show anyone I was hurting. So, I started becoming angry. When Colleen would ride me, I started to buck and rear until I could get her off. Sometimes I would feel terrible when she fell to the ground. I'd run back over and nuzzle her so she'd get back up. But her instructor always told her to GET BACK ON. Needless to say, Colleen was frustrated with me, and I was in severe pain so I HAD to keep getting her off my back.

My behavior when riding got so bad that they started bringing in specialists. I was getting Colleen off my back every day almost. The specialists were bucked off too. They were even easier because I didn't care if I hurt them. Oh, and I NEVER went to "check" on them after they fell to the ground.

Still, Colleen came to brush and feed me. She never missed a day. I felt terrible treating her like that. Why couldn't these humans see I was in so much pain?

Almost a year later, with little progress in our riding, Colleen took me to a new barn. This barn was very high class. Top notch riding facility. She had a new trainer. A MEAN trainer that would hit me when I bucked Colleen off. I even once kicked the trainer. She only hit me more. This would make Colleen cry. I hope I wasn't scaring Colleen. I was only kicking the trainer in anger. I'd never kick MY girl.

One day Colleen came to my stall and I assumed we were going riding again. Only, this time she said "goodbye". Goodbye?! Where were you going!!! I PROMISE I'll be good when we ride today. But it didn't work. Colleen left... She was going on "vacation." I wondered how long this "vacation" was going to be. Would I ever see her again?

During her vacation, I missed her! I missed her daily grooming. And her singing. And heck, even her riding. I would have gladly gone for a ride today!

The barn keepers put me in the wrong field that morning. With strange horses! They kept kicking me. No one liked me. One kicked me so hard in my leg that I just KNEW it was broken. I just wanted to be back inside the barn. When they brought me in for dinner they saw my leg. No one called Colleen. No one called a vet. They told me I'd feel fine in the morning.

Only, in the morning, I DIDN'T feel fine. My broken leg was so swollen. From my hoof to my hip, I couldn't move. I was starting to feel sick. I wouldn't eat and wouldn't drink. Still, they didn't call the vets. They told me Colleen would be home in a day and she could decide if I needed to see a vet. Oh, I desperately needed a vet.

Thankfully, a day later Colleen returned. She came racing to my stall and I barely had the energy to knicker to her like I usually did. She saw my leg and burst into tears. She was screaming at the barn owner. "Why didn't you call a vet!?!?" Colleen called a vet right away and I was quickly picked up in an ambulance and taken to the hospital.

I stayed in intensive care for a long time. My leg was shattered and infection ran through my whole body. No one was sure I would make it. I wasn't even sure I was going to make it. Colleen took the long drive out to see me every day. Even once her parents let her skip school so she could sit in my stall with me. It was nice to have company.

Then, one day, the vet said Colleen was allowed to walk me out to the grass. THE GRASS?! WALK?! YIPPEE I'm outta this joint. She put the lead on me and I RAN to the grass. Broken leg or not... I RAN! Colleen couldn't have been happier. We both knew things were going to be okay from then on.

Months passed again. I was back at the stable Colleen first brought me to. She learned to rebandage my leg every morning before school and then after school she'd come and clean my stall and feed me. It was like old times again. No mean trainers yelling at her or hitting me. We got to bond even more. Sometimes she'd even pull up a bale of hay and take a nap in my stall in the afternoon.

My leg healed enough to be ridden again. I was SO happy to see a saddle. And I know Colleen was thrilled too. We went racing around the ring. I couldn't keep still. I was SO HAPPY to be normal again.

Later that month we switched barns once more. This would be my last barn with Colleen. Problems with my hooves came up. My horse shoes kept falling off of my feet. But when it did, it tore apart my hooves. I couldn't keep shoes on and I couldn't walk. I was lame once again.

I knew Colleen was frustrated. Just when I was normal, I go and get myself hurt once again. I tried to make her happy. I pretended it didn't hurt so she would ride me. I gingerly walked on my tender toes and took her around the ring. She saw my pain and got off. Little did I know that was our last ride.

Her parents couldn't afford my vet bills anymore. I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to afford them. I overheard her parents mention bills in the many thousands. I just kept getting hurt. I tried to make it seem like I wasn't in pain. But I was. And I guess I couldn't hide it any longer.

A few days later a new person came and picked me up in a trailer. Colleen was sobbing into my mane and telling me "Goodbye". At the time I thought this "goodbye" meant another "vacation". But, it was long term. And permanent.

I settled into my new home quickly. Lots of new horses, lots of new people. They were friendly and happy to see me. The let my feet rest and my hips heal.

Finally, last year I had my first baby. He's absolutely gorgeous. He's going to the race track to run. I hope he does better than I did. The barn is lovely. People here treat me so well. And no more riding! All I have to do is have a baby evey few years! And I love it. I'm a great mom.

Colleen still comes around and sees me. I do miss her. But each time I see her I still "knicker" and she still gives me a kiss. I know Colleen was afraid I'd forget her, but I never will. She's much older now. I guess so am I. But, we're still bonded. Hopefully forever.

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Gah, I hope that wasn't too sad/long! LOL Here are some pictures of my baby girl. She'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Oh Colleen, what a beautiful story. It did bring tears to my eyes tho, and it probably would have made me cry if I wasnt sitting at the University in a computer lab right now. Pride is a gorgeous horse and those pics were just great!

Colleen, What a warm hearted story, you told it so well, Pride is such a beautiful horse, and I can tell you will never forget each other, that made me cry, and thats ok, it touched my heart!

Such a beuatiful and heart touching story.....but it made me

What a beautiful and touching story -- the bond you two shared!! Would you mind if I add it to "A Pet Story?" I'm sure our viewers would love reading it and seeing the photos.

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Originally posted by Barbi:
What a beautiful and touching story -- the bond you two shared!! Would you mind if I add it to "A Pet Story?" I'm sure our viewers would love reading it and seeing the photos.

http://www.cutefamilypets.com/membersig/barbiavataroct20.gif

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Of course you can add it!!! I would be delighted to see it up there!

What a touching story. Thank you for sharing it Colleen.

Beautiful Storys & Beautiful Pictures!!

Wow, how did I miss this?!?!? What a beautiful story.........


I'm 31 weeks!

It's featured: A Pet Story

If anyone else wants to submit theirs, by all means email it to me

VERY TOUCHING STORY COLLEEN

Colleen, I thought you might like knowing CFP has received quite a few emails saying how touching your story is.