La Bona Vivo LLC

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas Bona Vivo family ❤️🎄💚

12/16/2024

What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.

It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.

The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.

Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.

It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.

It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author

11/23/2024

Our IEA team had a great weekend at Bergen last week! Congratulations to all riders for lots of great rides, Regionals qualification, Aislinn winning the Leading Rider Award, and Secret earning the Best Horse Award 💞

11/15/2024

Looking forward to another weekend of showing with this team! 🕺🎉🤗

10/27/2024

Happy birthday week to our favorite person! I am forever grateful for you, we love you! 🎉🕺💜

10/11/2024

Good night ponies ✨💤

09/30/2024

So proud of these kids 💙 The Brunhammer family’s “Noblesse Flush Z” champion in the USHJA hopeful hunters her second time out with Joy Brunhammer and solid trips in the USHJA schooling hunters to take home good placings with Aislinn Howell. Beautiful riding and teamwork girls ✨🥇

09/07/2024

Congratulations to the Brunhammer family on the purchase of Noblesse Flush Z, or “Priscilla”! We are so excited for your new addition and can’t wait to watch you shine in the show ring ✨💜

08/21/2024

The best small green gelding is available for lease! Imported Section A Welsh.
Currently jumping courses with lead changes, best personality, and safe for kids.
Please follow sale ad or PM for more info.

https://youtu.be/F4Rwowsy2s4?si=zqEUUwR1wU1yVp1f

https://bigeq.com/horse/listing/mlw-silva-sam-welsh-pony-hunter-40397/

08/09/2024

MLW Silva Sam and Sofia Azzarello with 3 clear rounds in the cross rail jumpers at Lotus! So proud of how much this pony has progressed in the few months he has been with us 💜

08/06/2024

Lincoln being best sport today for the pony campers to learn parts of the horse on 💜

08/03/2024

Let’s get back to business 💪

08/01/2024

Such a fun group of kiddos, ponies and families 💜

07/09/2024

First summer camp week was a success! Looking forward to a full pony camp filled summer ✨✨

05/17/2024

You start dying slowly ;
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly :
When you kill your self-esteem,
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly ;
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly :
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly :
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain
If you do not go after a dream
If you do not allow yourself
At least once in your lifetime
To run away from sensible advice
Don't let yourself die slowly
Do not forget to be happy!

~ Pablo Neruda♡
Chilean poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971

American Hat Company NHSRA American Quarter Horse Association

03/22/2024