10/17/2025
Today we said goodbye to one of the most special horses I have ever had in my lifetime.
Ares was the first “schoolmaster” I had ever owed. All other horses in my life I purchased as complete babies at weaning, or green broke. The confidence, that this horse blessed me with…..I cannot even put into words. I believe he was coming 12 when I bought him, and he came with so many miles and learned life lessons. He never refused a single jump, and he had ONE single rail down….TOTAL …..from all shows I ever hauled him to. He would take off from any distance, and graciously forgave me for mistake after mistake that I would have made. He was ALWAYS ready for a jump off, and although he was generally more whoa than go - he would hit the gas pedal when asked and jump from any angle. He was so kind. So forgiving. He was the horse that I completed all of my rider level testings on. I would use him for demos in clinics. He would take care of the smallest and youngest of riders. He was the same at a show as he was at home. We could hack ba****ck out in the fields. The rides, the ribbons, the memories, the accomplishments, the growth, I am so grateful for the ride of a lifetime that this horse gave me. I trusted him with everything I had.
He was so reliable and always the same guy….day in….day out. That’s how I knew when he was showing signs and his time was drawing near. He would be 24 next year. We made the decision last year, that he wouldn’t have to go through another winter again. Regardless of injections or support we offered, it stopped keeping him comfortable enough. He aged a lot over the last 2 years, and he was showing us signs that he was tired.
Today was the most beautiful fall day. He went peacefully at home and didn’t have to stress about trailering again. The vet came to the house and it was beautiful and sunny and the warmest lovely breeze. He was eyes deep in a bucket of grain and carrots until his chewing slowed down as he got sleepier. I laid with him in the grass with the sun shining down, and the breeze gently moving his wooly winter coat coming in. . His breathing got deeper, and that was it, he was gone.
His absolute best friend was Parthenon who we lost a few years ago. As your breathing slowed and got deeper on this side……I hope you were nickering and galloping when you saw him on the other side.
I will never forget all of the gifts you gave me. You were one in a million boo boo.
🥺🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️
Janessa - these photos that you captured of us last week - I will truly cherish forever ❤️
