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IN MEMORY OF OUR FRIENDS This section is to remember and lay tribute to some of our departed friends, both human and equine. Email susan@horseconnections.co.uk if you have a friend you would like to remember in this section. No charge applies to this section.   Troy1995 - 25th Oct 2007 Farewell to our beloved, big fella. We only had the pleasure of owning you for a year, but we will never forget you or stop loving you. We will think of you and miss you every day. I've forgiven you for all the times you tried to buck me off and Daddy has forgiven you for dragging him down the road too. The stables will never be the same without you, there will always be a huge gap where you used to stand. There will never be another you. Goodbye our darling Troy, we miss you so much. We'd do anything to have you back. When you died a piece of us died too. All our love always Kerrie & Richard xxxx
 Risinghoe Bright Light1996 - 2005 We had Bertie a week off 4 years and the loss of him has been devastating. He has taken me to the top in horse shows and I hope he realised how much I loved him, like a brother or a best friend. Bertie will be forever in the hearts of many people especially those close to him such as myself, my mum and off course his favourite groom, Hannah. He had an accident in the horse box on the way to a show where he severely cut his leg and ripped his artery and tendons, there was nothing that could be done and he had to be put down, luckily no pain was felt. Goodbye Bertie written by Bertie's groom.
 Tufty
Tufty was a very kind hearted gelding who lived to be 37. His owner Margaret Reeves loved him to pieces. She is almost completely blind but Tufty looked after her throughout his life. He was a dark bay 13.3hh cheeky pony. I had entered him in the woolliest pony competition three times in which he won each time. He also won twice in veterans. He was to old for me to ride in them but it was just as fun. Everyone at Cloud Stables who knew him has great memories of him when he was one of the riding school ponies. Unfortunately one day he could barely stand due to arthritis problems and to put him out of pain the only choice was to be put down. Margaret I know has missed him and so have I but at least we know he is grazing with Merry in the fields of heaven. Love Suzi Patrick xx.
Merrylegs
This pony known as merry was a 13.2hh New Forest, a lovely dapple grey mare she was kept at Cloud Stables in Arborfield. She was owned by Katrina Patrick, my sister aged 10. She was the sweetest pony you could imagine but she had an unfortunate case of navicular. She went to have an operation to try and solve the problem. 1 out of 200 operations go wrong but Merry reacted to the anaesthetic and started having a fit. The vet had no choice but to put her down. Katrina was devastated, she has now started coming back to the stable by being encouraged by all the staff at Cloud Stables. Merry is and always will be a deeply missed pony which we will never forget. Love Suzi Patrick xx.
 Kinbrylie Aramis (Kieran)1995 - 2004 6 years ago on a cold blustery and rainy night, a little 3 year old Exmoor gelding arrived in Edinburgh. He was the very first pony I had owned at the grand old age of 25, although I had ridden and been involved with Exmoors all my life. Unbroken and inexperienced, we soon began to develop a strong bond, and his personality began to shine through. We attended many shows as he loved nothing better than showing off in the ring, and he was quite successful. The peak of our triumphs was being placed as reserve Mountain and Moorland champion at Dalkeith Show in 2003. The judge said that if she didn’t suspect he was over height (which he was!!) she would have happily given him the Championship, which we were very pleased about. We holidayed together down in the borders, where we had a wonderful week exploring the tracks and countryside of the Buccleuch Estate along with a group of friends, and I finally realised my dream, if only for a week, of having my pony visible from my bedroom window, where he quickly cottoned on that polos would be thrown for him if he put on a cute enough expression! Unfortunately at the beginning of 2004, Kieran went suddenly and extremely lame, and was quickly diagnosed with a fractured pedal bone. Having never really been in a stable before then, we were facing at least 6 months box rest and only a 50:50 chance of him becoming sound again, as it was a severe fracture. Kieran coped admirably with the enforced rest, and since he wasn’t even allowed out of the stable to be mucked out, he soon got on with the task of ‘helping’ me every day when I came to do it, such as trying to steal the fork and tip over the wheelbarrow! Unfortunately, despite the box rest being extended to 9 months, and having a plaster cast fitted over the affected hoof, Kieran did not show any signs of healing, and I was left with a stark choice. Sadly, he didn’t cope with retirement well, and was bored and miserable. He would have always needed an increasing dose of painkillers to help him stay as pain free as possible, and a remedial shoe fitted every 4 weeks, so I made the difficult decision to end his suffering on Friday 3rd December. My little ray of sunshine has now gone, although he’ll never be forgotten, either by me or anyone who knew him. He was funny, charismatic and endlessly full of cheek and mischief, and I will miss having him in my life so much. During difficult times he never failed to make me feel better when we went on lovely long hacks through the countryside, or fast frenetic gallops across the grass or just spending time with him during his box rest in the stable. These times chased all other thoughts out of my mind. Being with him seem to melt all my other troubles away, he was the best therapy in the world! He is now at peace, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supported me through this difficult past year. He was worth every moment. He was my lovely boy and my best friend, and losing him has left a gaping hole in my life, but I feel so privileged to have known him and cared for him, if only for a relatively short time.
SOLITAIRE
I help at a riding school in Arborfield sometimes and sadly one of my favourite horses died last week. She was a beautiful dark Chestnut mare with some white markings. Solly was a much loved horse at the Stables and will be greatly missed. Solly was wonderful on hacks and though I never rode her I have been told she was a lovely ride. I wont forget her and I'm sure anyone who knew her wont either.
 WINNER'S NEW DAWN, MY GOLDEN PALOMINOMay 29, 1983 ---- Oct 19, 2001 I will try to make a story of eighteen years as short as possible. I brought my filly - Winner's New Dawn - home when she was weaned from her Then at three years old, Dawn foundered. We had to watch her weight as closely as we could. We had more good days than bad. She was my pet, so not being able to ride her didn't matter to me. She was forever looking at the back door, to see if she could see me. No matter where I was, she would find me. She always said hello, every time she saw me in the pasture or stall. She always greeted me. She let me know when she wanted out, and she would go to the gate and tell me when she wanted back in her stall. One time she was in the pasture, and so was I. A strange dog came in, and I guess she thought he would hurt me. She came running from the far side of the pasture, right beside me, to chase that dog out. Dawn seemed to know what I was thinking. If I was brushing the other horses, I would say to her, "Well, what do you think?" And she would look up as if to say, "Good job, Mom." I watched Dawn so closely, paying attention to her weight, feet, and her diet. In 2000, she starting showing signs of getting worse. I called the All of my vets said that Dawn was not my horse; she was my child. They knew of no other horse who had lived with this disease, which was So I say, one more time, as I did every night, "Nite-nite, Dawn Dawn. See you in the morning. By Wanda Lambert, Griffin, Georgia
MY GENTLE GIANT - DUKE
I work at a riding school on the Wirral and my favourite horse was a 17hh black shire gelding called Duke. Sadly last October I lost him, He was missing one Thursday morning from the field and when the girls could not find him he was presumed stolen. Everyone at the yard threw themselves into the search for him putting up posters driving round sales and circuses at all hours but sadly we never found him. Then around two weeks later a farmer found him in the deep ditch at the bottom of the field, he had fallen into the river that runs right around the field! I miss him terribly and only someone who has lost a horse would understand. He was the sweetest horse on the planet and wouldn't have hurt a fly. As I am only 5ft when I tacked him up I would say to him "I'm to small" and he would put his head between his knees. I had total confidence in him and trusted him with my life, when I was on Duke I felt like I could do anything! I will never forget Duke and I'm sure that everyone else who knew him will feel exactly the same!
In loving memory of my best friend Little Drummer Boy 1976 - 2002.
May Epona guide you on your way,
BELLA
I lost my beautiful Fell x TB mare Bella on Bonfire night (2003). Bella had battled with cushings disease for the past 3 years only to be beaten by a tumour that sapped the life out of my faithful friend!!! She was sent home from a week at the vets with medication and a kind word from the vet saying I would know when the time was right to say goodbye!! I did know and after seeing her try to get up unsuccessfully in the field my heart missed a beat and I knew what to do!! I had a wonderful half hour sitting in the field in the sunshine hugging my companion of 12 years!!! A beautiful black 14.2hh pony who I will never ever forget!! Our home feels so empty without her. Tonight I stood listening for that familiar sound of her contented munching of hay in her cosy stable, but I know its gone forever. Bella had been my rock when life got tough!! Relationship breakdowns! Divorce! Deaths! Bella was always there for me to cry on her shoulder. Without her life will seem so strange, she would have got me through this pain, but she has gone. I will always remember my beautiful baby Bella!
POLLY
Polly was a 14.2hh, bay, cob mare. Although I only owned her for 3 years we built a very strong and loving friendship together. She had the most beautiful big brown eyes, she was such I kind, loving mare. I was bullied at school for almost a year and she helped me to cope and get through that very tough time. I felt like I had known her since she was a foal. She took me to my first show and we won first prize in a fancy dress competition as a night in armour. On November 1999 she had a foal it was a shock to me, my father, my mother and my older sister as she never showed any signs of pregnancy because when we bought her she was very neglected. We decided to call her foal Autumn. Polly had given birth without any problems. I spent hours running around the field with Autumn, playing with him. Polly was a very good mother to him. Sadly in November 2000 she suffered from a twisted gut. The vets did every thing they could but they couldn't save her. It broke my heart. I cried for days and days and I still cry now. She will always be in our hearts and there will never be another mare like her. Autumn is 4 now and every time I look at him I see Polly. Polly left the world but she will never leave our hearts.
PHANTOM Shire Cross 1990 - 2002
Phantom was big, bay, beautiful and just loved everybody! I was lucky enough to own him from the day he was born until he died from grass sickness almost 12 years later. He was my soulmate and I miss him very much. In the field with the other horses, he was the doormat and everyone used to say, "Look at the size of that horse and yet he never sticks up for himself." Yet when he died the vet at Langford clinic said to me, "Your horse was so brave; he never stopped fighting." He was a brave spirit in a gentle body. I now do fundraising for the Equine Grass Sickness Fund and if anyone wants to contact me, please feel free : Jane Bates
MORGAN half Arab 1974 - 2000 Morgan was my son's pony from 1992-2000.Loving, willing, obedient (99% of the time!) and beautiful, he was a much loved family member. He changed my views on Arabs! I could let my son ride out on the moors near where we live, and know he would be safe with Morgan, which is a great tribute to any pony. Morgan died aged 26 from a twisted bowel. When we first called the vet out, his first question was, "Is he insured?" We had been unable to get illness cover because Morgan was 18 when we bought him. The vet advised against operating and 20 hours later we lost our friend. What I wonder is, if I had said, "YES, he is" would we have been advised differently?
REMEMBERING CHINOOK
Today the sun shone, snowdrops and crocuses, even daffodils had bloomed. Birds singing their hearts out, and deer, pheasant and fox braving the big field at Darklass. But for me it was a heartbreaking day for today I had to have my gallant, beautiful, kindhearted "Windsong Chinook" (Also known as Tashy, My Lady, Old Bat!!) put down. I bought her as a 7 year old in 1982 from Margaret
Beck at Lasswade, Edinburgh. The chestnut mare (previously Broadsides) had come
over from Ireland, and being an Irish draught x T.B. was just what I was looking
for. She was chestnut with strange black spots, a short stumpy right ear and a
hopeless tongue sucking addiction to polos. She could jump though and we won
many classes in Riding Club events...the highest I jumped her was 4ft 4" but she
was capable of more. Chinook did everything, and did it well, she raised 5 foals
and 4 grandchildren foalies too. The vet said her discomfort today was caused by her heart failing, she had odema pooling where it shouldn't, and lack of fluid where it should have been. Unfixable, and gradually getting worse. Her burnished copper coat shone a lie against her real condition, she wanted to graze and drink but couldn't, she did gracefully accept polos from me, right up to when the injection final sent her in the warm sunshine to a permanent sleep. Her big Clydesdale Boyfriend was with her right to the end. We have buried her in the New Acre where she loved to be, under a silver Birch, with a view of the big field where her offspring graze. It was a beautiful end to a beautiful horse. If you have any personal memories of Chinook could you e-mail them to me, it would bring a lot of comfort to me. Please email me with any information : Karen Williamson-Gouge
CALLUM OF PROSEN
My faithful friend died 5th June 2002. He was a true gent, a lovely grey Highland. He took ill on the 28th of April and fought to the very end. He passed away in my arms. I will never forget him, all my love Callum. Love and miss you, Mum
MERRIDAN
In loving memory, of Merridin who left this earth in Nov, 2000 – Aged 27. You came to us in foal with Midnight who we kept. Merry you passed away in you're sleep but your son who was a week away from his 21st birthday died from a twisted gut in May 2001, you two were always together in life, we hope you are now. Our pain is always with us the loss is so great, but we could never forget the extreme happiness you both brought us. Like the beautiful, fresh spring flowers gone too soon. Always loved and never forgotten. Debs and all at MAYTREE.
HUBBA
In loving memory, forever, of Hubba – Died 22 May 2002 – Aged 25. Hubba was a huge part of my life for 13 years. A moody DWB X TB, who gave me so much joy, pleasure and sometimes sheer terror with his unpredictable antics. Thank you for looking after my son on those walks through the woods with him on your back. Thank you for looking after me for all these years. Thank you for the pure adrenalin rush we shared when we went flat out across the Downs. Thank you. You will be within my thoughts for ever more. Thank you Julia
TIA
In memory of Tia, a very special 15.2hh palomino mare, whom I only owned for 5 days. I brought as a rescue case as she was extremely neglected at her previous home and when I went to view her I just knew I couldn't leave her there. On arriving home she was pitifully thin and wouldn't eat, we knew something was wrong so had the vet out, although she could find nothing noticeable wrong, I purchased her on the 16th July and 5 days later she laid down in the field and passed away. Even though I owned her for only 5 days, she will always be in my mind, and I
take comfort that in those 5 days she had a lot of love and died peacefully in a nice
home. I will always miss her and think of what could have been, but I now know she is in a God bless you tiaxxxxxx Thank you Kim Atkinson
EMMA McGHEE & ARCHIE
I lost my lovely daughter in November 1996, she was tragically killed in a car accident at the young age of 16 years with three others. I have such fond memories of her as a child, riding and competing at local Riding Clubs and taking her along to Coventry & District Pony Club. We now hold an annual memorial quiz for Emma and we usually raise around £700 which goes towards training the trainers which I am sure Emma would be so proud about! Also Archie, my lovely 15.1hh bay cob x Irish draft, whom I had to pleasure of owning for the past 2 years. Archie died after colic surgery on 29th March 2002, after putting up an admirable fight for life, he was a gentleman until the end, he never got nasty even when he was in dreadful pain. It was to be Archie's 7th birthday on 19th April he didn't quite make it. It was Emma's birthday on 8th April and the only comfort I can gain from this experience is that Archie and Emma got each other for their birthday's. I try to think of them together in the great pasture in the sky! Archie was my coping mechanism and bought me so much pleasure. I would like to say thank you to Dawn for being there and doing the things I couldn't stand to watch, and to Michelle for transporting him at a moments notice to Banbury for his surgery, and for bringing home so he at least had the dignity to pass over in his familiar stable with the people that loved him the most present. The one thing that I have learnt from this experience is that when you purchase a horse, you never really own him, nature does, one day he will return again to his true owner - nature (or those that have faith - God) . He will leave this earth having enriched the lives of the ones that he has touched. If anyone would like help with coming to terms with loss after colic surgery email pjtaylor11@hotmail.com Thank you Pamela Taylor
 ILPH OBSERVE
It is with great sadness that the ILPH (International League for the Protection of
Horses) has to announce the death of ILPH Observe, a 26 year old ILPH Observe, or Hobbie as he was affectionately known, came to ILPH Glenda Spooner Farm in a severely emaciated state with badly neglected teeth and feet In his long and successful National Hunt career during the 1980’s, he had 18 wins and 12 places out of 40 starts to his credit including the Cathcart Cup and John Francome who was saddened to hear the news rode his 1,000 race win on Observe, says, "When he first came to us at Fred Winter's he jumped badly After Observe retired from racing he went on to enjoy several seasons hunting.
Then he sadly joined the downward spiral, finding himself at one time In February 1999, with the help of a previous owner, Observe was retrieved in a very poor condition and came to the ILPH lame and unshod with very tender Continues John, “He was a grand old servant to us and I am really pleased that he finally had such a happy retirement home with ILPH." Adds Janet Dale, Manager at Glenda Spooner Farm, “We are all so sad, he was a great character and the place just won’t be the same without him.”
 FLANNAGINIn loving memory of Flannagin - Died 07/03/2002 Aged 19 years. Thanks for the broken bones, the huge overdraft and the addiction to 'Kalms'
and yeah it was a small price to pay for the 9 years of sheer joy I shared with
this remarkable friend.
McGINTYOn new years eve of 2000, I lost McGinty, my five year old,15.2hh dappled grey Irish gelding. He had become lame at Christmas after jumping a small cross pole and slightly twisting his back leg. As we were on a busy livery yard there were no free stables so it was decided to keep him well rugged in the field until he became sound. Unfortunately, as I was working in the riding school one day, I was told by a friend that McGinty had collapsed in the field and couldn't get up. We called the vet and everyone on the yard was very helpful, building a stable of straw aroung him to protect him from the snow and everyone on the yard lent him a rug. I reluctantly stayed at my grandfather's that night and awaited the call from the vet when he made his check at 10am the next morning. Unfortunately my mother told me the bad news after calling the vet. Although the vet did many tests on him he could not determine the cause of death, although I was glad to hear that, on his final check the vet recorded a perfect temperature - thanks to everyone on the yard lending their rugs! I miss McGinty so much, as he was my first horse and I only owned him for five months. I loved his character and he was always willing to jump higher and higher - I still boast about the private lesson when I jumped 1m 10cm!!! Emma Willats
APRIL & JOE
On the 12 March this year (2001) we lost our 12 year old dog. Joe was to be seen throughout the summer show season tied up to the lorry and was loved by one and all. He has left a big hole in our lives and will be missed for many years to come. To add to this we lost a Welsh Section 'A' filly foal at 12 hours old. We named her April and she was on par with the best we have bred to date. April and Joe are side by side in the sunny corner of the field. Kevin, Janice, Charlotte & Badger
FREDDIE’S STORY
FREDDIE – OFAH's very old favourite DONKEY – and the most adopted animal – was sadly “put to sleep” on Christmas Day 2000. A truly remarkable donkey. Freddie was nearly 50 years old and had worked as a beach donkey for many, many years, before coming to Sanctuary. His sweet nature was there for all the children, with his occasional ‘paddy’ reserved only for the Vets and Farriers. He had a remarkable “antennae” and seemed to always know when we were talking about him. His trust in people and love of kids – despite a dodgy few years between his ‘career’ ending and joining us at the sanctuary – remained absolute to the end. Several times we had faced up to the prospect of losing him and the next morning he had shown us most amazingly that he was not yet ready to go, he bravely fought on for another day. Unfortunately, Freddie could fight no more, and on Christmas Day was peacefully put to sleep. Rest in Peace Freddie, it was a privilege to know and love you. If you would like to make a donation towards our new face lift plans in the name of your pony - We will be erecting a plaque with the names of friends lost, on the new buildings. See more on the OFAH pages CLICK HERE
PENNY GRIFFITHS
A quiet and private well known judge and exhibitor from Wisbourough Green Penny Griffiths, sadly passed away, in May, after a short battle with liver cancer, Penny was well known in native pony circles with various breeds always remembered around the horses and dogs shows with her mum, Penny will be sadly missed.
 FOURMERK ROWAN
We were still recovering from the shock of the loss of our two year old Highland filly, Honesty, when disaster struck again. In a totally unrelated incident, we have lost our other two year old filly, Rowan, who was the first foal of Fourmerk Kestrel and Fourmerk Rosemaree. On Wednesday, 31st May, Ronnie found her shivering, shaking and drenched in sweat. The vet at first diagnosed colic and treated her, but she was in such a state that he came back two hours later at 10.00pm to check on her. As she was no better, he advised us to take her to the Weipers Centre in Glasgow. We stayed whist she was examined – a harrowing experience – and gave permission for surgery, if it was required. On our journey home, at 3.00am, we were stopped by the police who asked what we were doing driving a trailer at that time of night! Next morning, Rowan was worse and it was decided to operate in order to make a definite diagnosis. At 10.00am, I was told that she had grass sickness and she should be put down without being brought round from the anesthetic. Both Ronnie and I are heartbroken. Rowan was the first foal of both parents and fulfilled our hopes for Kestrel’s breeding potential. She had the sweetest nature and beautiful big soft eyes. She was bay, which is a relatively unusual colour in Highlands. She lived up to our expectations by being Foal Champion at the Breed Show in 1998 and taking many other top places. As a yearling, she was youngstock champion at Central Scotland. We are really shattered by this second death within a month. Joan and Ronnie Alexander, Fourmerk Highland Pony Stud, Kippen, Stirling.
 FOURMERK HONESTY
Fourmerk Honesty died suddenly on 8th May 2000. This was a huge shock, as she was only two years old and appeared in perfect health. She was found lying dead in the field. Post Mortem examination revealed that she had hemorrhaged into her lungs. Death would have been instantaneous. Honesty was by Innes of Invervack out of our best brood mare, Duncrub Holly. She was yellow dun and beautiful. Her nature was beyond reproach - she just loved people, without being pushy. She was a late April foal and as such was not much shown in her year of birth, but it was obvious that the potential to be a star was there. She was third foal at the Breed Show, first at Gargunnock, first and Reserve Champion Foal at Doune and Dunblane and Highland Filly Foal Champion and Reserve Foal Champion at the Scottish Foal Show. In 1999, she was first at NPS Summer Show, second at the Royal Highland and second at Braco. I will miss her very much Joan Alexander
 GLENAKIL RUADH18th May 1977 - 29th November 1999 I became the owner of this special animal in 1991 and we built up a wonderful relationship over the years we had together. Sadly at the end of last year (1999) Ruadh lost his battle with Cushings Disease and had to be put to sleep to avoid any further suffering. Ruadh and I got to know each other as we hacked around the West Lothian countryside during the first years of our partmership. As we got more adventurous we joined the Scottish Endurance Riding Club in 1992 and took part in many pleasure rides. Ruadh proved he had the stamina to progress through the first level of the Thistle Awards Scheme and at his first attempt in 1994 at the grand old age of 17, he successfully attained the Bronze Thistle Award with a gold qualification. Ruadh also took part in numerous competitions, local riding club events and county agricultural shows. He loved working hunter classes and over the years has consistently won many Championships. His enthusiasm over cross country courses also led to numerous successes. During the winter season he took to showjumping with flair. Ruadh was also pretty good in the show ring, frequently catching the judge's eye and coming home with many red rosettes. The only area I can honestly say he didn't really enjoy was dressage. He made this very obvious with his sometimes inexplicable departures from the arena at a strong canter! Ruadh's father, the Arab stallion Paguerra, and his Highland mother, Rhona of Knocknagael produced the perfect all purpose riding horse. Ruadh was a horse in a million - I doubt I'll ever find a partner and friend like him again - I miss him very much. Rachel Devlin
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