On September 23, 2023, we sold our first horse. She taught me so much! Here are my musings:
Cricket
Before you,
I didn't know horses stomped their feet
or pawed when they were bored or impatient
I had no idea how sensitive horses are to even the tiniest bug
I didn't know about incessant tail flicking
or how brutal the horseflies can be in July
I didn't know how obsessed horses can be with food (green grass anyone?)
I didn't know that horses nickered for the ones they love
I didn't know they got so excited when they heard you step out the front door or pull into the yard
I didn't know how loyal they are to their herd
or how important a few treats in your pocket might be
Before you,
I didn't know about the smell of a horse
or their little sighs
I had no idea how important licking and chewing is
or how antsy horses can get when they hear the food bike coming (and they're stuck in the arena)
I didn't know about a "pecking order"
I didn't know I could see the soul of a horse through her eyes
I can see her joy
Her determination
Her pain
I didn't know a horse could cultivate such compassion
or teach so much about sacrifice
and self control
and discipline
but also about adapting on the fly and being flexible too
Before you,
I didn't know we'd be getting up and out of the house so dang early
I didn't know we'd haul you in a trailer so far and so often
I had no idea how much stuff a horse would need
Or how much you would force us to just be present
I didn't know how proud I would feel of my daughter
of our horse
to witness such growth
such development
from both of you
I didn't know how "serious" it is for horses to be separated from their "friends"
I didn't know horses feel everything
I didn't know how hard they work
How badly they want to please their rider (or just get rid of them)
I didn't know what a crow hop was or what it meant to be "lame"
I didn't know horses found pool noodles and bridges so very scary
Before you,
I didn't know about horse's soft soft noses
I didn't know horses had good days and bad days
I didn't know that they sometimes need to be lunged
I had no clue about "pulling"
I didn't know I'd be wiping your nose or cleaning your crusty eyes
I had no idea that I'd be combing knots out of your tail or braiding your mane
I had no idea you would blow snot all over me (way more than once)
Before you,
I didn't know about cresty necks
Or how easy it is for everyone to talk about how fat your horse is
I didn't have a clue about farriers
Or that equine dentists existed
I didn't know mares squealed or "donkey-kicked"
And I certainly I didn't know what it meant to be "mare-ish"
It seems I could keep going …
I trust there's much that I've forgotten … but the list of what you've taught me is long, Cricket! To date, we've had 664 days together! You will always be our first!
It's hard to let you go! But it's time for you to continue your journey … and be your beautiful and wise self for your next people!
You're a real gem (except when you're not) 
We will miss you so!
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