My last post was about doing the most with the ponies that you have, no matter where they end up in the long run. In that last post, I explained how I was late to the game but in the end, I felt like I had done right by a pony that ended up in a great home. This post is going to have a more somber ending.
I bought a pony last year named Maverick, with all of the intention of using him as another lesson pony. I knew he needed some time under saddle for that to happen, but I could tell right away he would be worth the effort. He came to me late at night, and as I pulled him off the trailer he never once whinnied a concern. He stood perfectly still in the darkness as I took off his travel boots, then walked perfectly respectable to an outside stall where he quietly met his stall mates. I was impressed with him from the beginning.
He started out riding for the kiddos perfectly, but I made the mistake of trying him in a very crowded home show too soon. He became a little worried about people on the rail and I realized he would need a little more desensitizing to outside commotion. At the same time, work became ridiculously busy and since he was my own horse, he started to sit more and more as it became harder for me to spend time with him.
Maverick patiently waited for me. Whenever I could I would have kids spend time with him and give him baths. No matter how long it was before I could get to him again, he was always perfect for the kids. His ground manners were impeccable and he was always a perfect gentleman. He truly had one of the sweetest pony hearts I have ever come across.
Finally, after Congress this year, Rebekah and I took initiative to get him going again. We started trail riding him to get him more exposed to everything. He was wonderful. For sure he would scoot every once in awhile at new obstacles, but his mind was always in the right place. There wasn’t a mean bone in this pony, he tried his hardest to overcome his fear and become the brave pony we wanted him to be. I’ll never forget his last trail ride. A determined look came over his face, and with his ears perked up he forged ahead of our small group, bravely leading the way! Until a shadow popped out of nowhere and he did a small hop to the side, then quickly accessed the situation, deemed it safe enough, and continued on as though nothing had happened. He was so smart and always tried to think through situations.
It was still slow progress as he was last to ride on our list each day. It never mattered how long in between our rides however, Maverick improved every opportunity we could spare him. I’ll never feel like I had enough time with this sweet horse. I know he enjoyed every minute we did spend with him, he was so kind that it never seemed to bother him when he didn’t get attention that day. I can only pray he was happy for the brief time he was here.
Maverick passed away suddenly and unexpectedly this past Thursday evening. He was only 6 years old and perfectly healthy as far as we knew. We will never know why or how this happened. One minute he was standing there completely normal, and the next he was gone. That’s the first time I’ve personally had a horse go so suddenly. I wish I would have spent more time with him during the day Thursday, wish I would have pet his sweet face just once. I noticed him, said ‘Hi’ to him, but never once put my own hands on him that day. As a horse trainer I realize that happens sometimes with your own horses, but I can promise from now on I’m going to try my hardest to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Only in death can we really see the beauty of life. I’ll never feel like I spent enough time with Maverick, but I hope he knows how much he really was loved here and how much he will be missed. I went down the aisle and spent time with every horse in my barn on Friday. It may sound cliché, but I’m so grateful that each one of them were alive and well with me. Take the time today to hug your horses a little longer, I know I will be.
TNE Real Respectable, Maverick, 2012-2018
