Desert Horses

Welcome to my horse blog, Desert Horses. We live in the desert southwest, near Palm Springs, CA, but board our horses up in our local mountains where it is cooler in the summer. I have 4 horses, all rescues. Here is the ranch up the mountains where the horses stay.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The death of Beauty...she is gone forever. RIP dear one.



































































It is with a heavy heart that I must tell everyone that my chestnut mare, Beauty, is gone. When I drove up to the ranch early this morning, I arrived at 7:30 a.m. Beauty was on her side. I called to her and she didn't get up, so I ran to her, but she was gone. There was absolutely NO thrashing and it appears she just dropped where she was and died instantly either during the night or very early this morning.

Beauty CHOSE me as her human and I was so honored by this. She was calm, patient, she was everything a beginner like me could wish for in a horse. Sometimes she looked at me questioningly, but she never nipped or kicked. She was the best beginner's horse I could have had. She was also the only one of our horses I rode.

RIP dear one. Someday we will be together again.

I'm taking a break from blogging until I recover from her loss. I just don't feel like blogging much right now and I have nothing new to say.

If you wish to help me remember Beauty, please make a donation to the horse rescue of your choice. I can vouch for both SAFER and TB Friends, both of which are on the sidebar of this blog.

Thank you, in advance, for your condolences. Beauty was only 5 years old.
~~Cheryl Ann~~

UPDATE: From the photos I took of her, it looks like Beauty got cast in the corral pipes and couldn't get up. Apparently when she tried to raise her head, she hit it on the metal pipe and that was it. Gone. She was dead instantly.

This was indeed a tragic, tragic accident to happen to a wonderful, caring, and people-loving mare. I cannot begin to describe my grief over her death. Thank you to everyone who sent kind thoughts and prayers. It will take time to get over this. My husband took Friday off from work and drove with me back to the ranch and we just went through some chores and feed the horses a little treat. I'm taking a couple of days and going to my aunt and uncle's in San Diego just to be able to get out of town and stop thinking about her. I miss her terribly and it was difficult to see her empty corral without her in it.

23 comments:

Dusty Devoe said...

Oh Cheryl I am so sad you lost your "Beauty." I can't even imagine how you feel. I will be thinking of you. HUGS.

Mrs. Mom said...

So Sorry for your loss Cheryl. We'll keep you all in our thoughts and prayers here.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry - our thoughts are with you.

Katharine Swan said...

Cheryl, I am so sorry. When my mother-in-law's mare died I found this poem for her. It's beautiful but it will make you cry. Read it whenever you are ready.

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Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.

~Stanley Harrison

Amanda said...

Please accept my condolances and I hope you can have some closure to this.

Jessie said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. I hope your heart heals fast. Rest in peace, Beauty.

restoration42 said...

Cheryl, I am so, so sorry - wish I had words that would or could ease the pain you are feeing. You will be in my heart and thoughts over the next few days.

Jessica said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. The most heartbreaking part of bonding with our animals is when they choose to leave us. My thoughts are with you.

Linda said...

I'm also very sad for your loss. I've been through the same thing myself with my colt two years ago--and it wasn't easy to accept or find peace with. You'll be in my thoughts.

arlene said...

I'm so very sorry. She was so young. It seems like she died in her sleep. How sad for you to discover her like that. She was loved and so lucky to have you in her life. Hang in there.

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Cheryl I am so very sorry. You have been such a God send for your horses and I know Beauty appreciated you very much.
It just breaks you when you loose a special horse, us horse people understand that all too well.
Take care of yourself and let us know if you need anything.

Mikey said...

OMG, that is insane! I'm so very sorry for your loss. She just dropped? Wow. I don't even know what to say, except prayers are with you right now. What an unbelievable loss!

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

How heartbreaking. Please accept my condolences. I know you loved and adored her.

Molly said...

It's so sad. I'm very sorry. No words can help that kind of broken heart. Just know you were a wonderful friend to her that gave her life meaning.

Carolynn Anctil said...

Oh sweetie, I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved companion. No words can truly comfort a grieving heart, I know. Beauty knew she was loved and that she had a true connection with you. That's a blessing like no other on earth. Take comfort in knowing that she didn't suffer.

I believe that our animal companions find ways to visit us from time to time after they're gone. That might sound kooky, but you wait, when you least expect it, something will happen that can only be explained as Beauty reaching out to let you know everything's okay.

Much love to you,
Carolynn

Pony Girl said...

So sad....she was so young, and a beautiful mare. I can't imagine what you are going through! I am glad you are taking some time to grieve and heal. I love the Stanley Harrison poem. Take care!

arlene said...

Thanks for the update. I'm shocked and frightened to hear that she got cast in her corral. Take care of yourself. I know there is another horse out there to fill that empty pen and your heart when your ready.

Linnea said...

I wanted to catch up on your blogs this morning and I shockingly find your sad message about Beauty. I'm so sorry this happened. Your mare was truly a beauty and such a big part of your life. Take care...

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I'm so sorry Cheryl. Such a senseless, tragic loss. She was so sweet and beautiful...a beauty inside and out. Your lovely girl.
I feel so sad. You are in my heart right now.

(((((HUGS)))))
~Lisa

DesertHen said...

I am so, so very sorry for your loss!
There are just no words for something like this! (((HUGS)))

Welcome To Wilmoth Farms said...

Cheryl, I'm so sorry and sad for your loss.....

Heart of a Cowgirl said...

I am so sorry about Beauty. I have been behind on my blog reading and just now read this. The pictures of her in your post combined with your blog music just broke my heart. I cannot express how sad I am for you. Hugs to you.
Bridget

gtyyup said...

Cheryl I'm so sad to hear about you loosing Beauty. It's so hard to loose a best friend and family member. You will be with her again...she waits for you at the Bridgs~~