RIP Shadow, Our Big, Bold Gelding

The Barn At Night

Have you ever felt the quiet,
A sundown that steadies your bones?

I stood for a moment as the horses ate grain,

Big, bold geldings as gentle as whispers,

As noble as gods:

Old Red, his eyes blurred with cataracts,

My horse, the orphaned-pinto,

His breath always in my hands,

And the arthritic gray herd leader,

Now totally white with age.

Some people hope for castles,

As for heaven, I’d prefer a barn.

A few days ago we said goodbye to our arthritic gray herd leader, Shadow. He was my husband's horse and, ultimately, it was his decision. Shadow went down hill fast this year and my husband didn't want him to suffer through winter.  

Shadow was a reluctant leader. 

When we purchased him, 13 years ago, and introduced him to Red, they acted like long lost brothers.  It was instant love and respect between them.  Shadow chose Red to be the leader of our 3 horse herd--Red, Shadow & Cowboy.  However, when Shiloh bought our first mare, Cowgirl, a new love sprang up between Red and her, and Shadow decided, literally overnight, that he would be the herd leader from there on out.

Herd leader was a lonely, thankless role.  All the horses loved Red.  Except one.

Leah.  Leah would be the one horse who would mutual groom with Shadow every night at sunset.  And, when the others staged rebellions against him, Leah would stand firmly by his side.

Shadow had many other roles through the years.  When Cowboy broke his coffin bone in 2007, I rode Shadow that year.

 In 2004 Shiloh used him for 4-H and trail rides.

When it came to protecting the herd, he stood up!  Whenever he sensed a "threat", like a new horse, he'd walk out real slow to greet it and then put it in its place.

Because of him, our herd was able to sleep in peace.

And eat in peace.

And, now I can only hope that he rests in peace until we meet again on some heavenly trail.

More pictures of Shadow in better times. He was such a golden-hearted soul.