03/09/2023
Today we prepare to say goodbye to Emma's first "big friend." King has only been with us since October 2022, but he came to us previously foundered with an untreated infection. Despite best efforts and multiple attempts to rid the abscess, King's hooves have made the decision that it's time for him to have wings. Emma turned 25 on Monday; King is only 13. We would all appreciate healing thoughts for Emma and the rest of the herd.
King tolerated Emma more than Aries, her best friend, who is only 360 days younger. Emma was convinced King loved her when she was in estrus, and he tolerated all of her unsolicited advances, being big enough to literally stand his ground. He towered two hands/eight inches above Emma, and very really put her in her place, so she still believes she is the "bee's knees" and the best thing since sliced bread. I can't convince her otherwise.
Pops took care of Emma, and I have in turn done the same. She's an old draft horse, but her joints are young in comparison to King's. Emma has lived an easy life: carting an old man on trails and a young girl around the show ring. King was a competition pulling horse; a body builder, if you will. He earned his keep in the eyes of everyone who knew him once he "retired" from that life. If wishes were horses, King would live a long, loved life like Emma. We are grateful to have given him the opportunity to "horse" for the short time we were able.
