It is unfortunate that our animals — who are truly members of our family — don’t live longer. Curly had a good run, closing in on thirty-three, when the infirmities of old age caught up with her. Last weekend, she needed to be helped over the Rainbow Bridge, because the final gift we can give them, is to be free of pain.
Curly was in all ways, a lucky horse. She knew nothing but love and had the best care throughout her life. Unlike many horses, who change hands as they age, she had only two owners: her breeder and the woman who bought her when Curly was just two years old and the girl was twelve.
Over three decades of ownership Curly and her owner did it all — eventing, foxhunting, trail riding, re-enactments, horse shows — she did it all. She taught her owner’s children to ride, had a foal, and was the best friend to many horses, including my Zelda and Rosie. She was the first horse I rode after I was cleared to ride after my accident.
As a breed ambassador, Curly made a compelling case to buy a Bashkir Curly. She had the best temperament, great athletic ability and eyelashes that a movie star would kill for.
In the end, what caused her suffering was a degenerative condition called suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD). It’s a chronic, progressive condition that weakens the suspensory ligament so they begin to drop. Up until the end, Curly was still determined to march out into the big field during the day — while Rosie, who sees no point in being in a field where the grass is covered by snow, chose to stay in the barn.
Saying goodbye to a such a good friend is never easy. Luckily Lindsay and her family were with Curly at the end and she had the comfort of having her family with her.
For Rosie, it’s been a hard week. Yesterday I wrote about Commander Speaks, a novel which features a horse communicator. Dante, the novel’s equine protagonist has a lot to say about life as a show horse in the U.S., but what I really wanted this week was to tap into the horse communicator, Izzie’s, skills. Although Rosie had the chance to say goodbye to Curly, she’s been looking everywhere for her. I would love to tell her that Curly’s time here might be over, but that it was time for her to cross the Rainbow Bridge. That she is now running, pain free with Zelda.