Early on this past Tuesday morning, staff arriving for chores found that our sweet miniature pony Gracie had passed away during the night. There was no sign of anything amiss, and Grace appeared to be very peaceful- we think that she simply passed on in her sleep. Grace was an elderly lady whose last day was spent grazing in the sun with her friends, and we are thankful that she was able to enjoy life up until the very end.
Grace was in rough shape when she came to the farm from the Camelot auction in 2011. She suffered from founder, arthritis, and had hooves so overgrown that she could barely walk. Despite her condition Grace was always a kind girl, and with some much-needed love and care she settled in happily to live out her days at Horses With Hope. Not even a permanent limp could slow this girl down, and Grace became the sweet and spunky matriarch of the ‘mini herd’ in her later years.
Everyone at Horses With Hope will miss Grace’s loveable little presence around the farm, but she is the perfect example of what we hope for when we take in certain animals as ‘lifers.’ Most of our horses, minis and donkeys arrive on the farm with the ultimate goal of being adopted out to new homes. However, occasionally we take in animals like Grace—whose serious physical issues would have made re-homing difficult—so that these deserving souls can live out their days in peace and comfort. Happy trails, Gracie.
“Somewhere, 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