She was 38, which the horsey people here know is ancient. She has been more my parents horse since I finished college. it probably would have been easier for them to sell her, but my mom had grown too attached by that time.
We all knew it was coming, she got really skinny last summer. Honestly, I'm surprised she made it through the winter. About a month ago, she flipped over on her side and didn't get up for 10 minutes, then struggled a little.
Last weekend, my mom called to tell me she was getting worse--not eating, having trouble breathing.
On Monday, my dad went to feed her, she was lying in her stall. She struggled to get up, then collapsed on her feed box.
She was my good friend throughout high school, and she was always very sweet. After riding, when I was cooling her down, she would often stop and put her head against my arm or my chest. Most times I didn't need a lead rope, she just followed me.
When I rode her, she showed spirit, but if one of my less experienced friends rode her, she was very calm and good. The same if I had any younger children on with me.
I will miss her, but I know she is waiting for me at the Bridge, and we'll have many more adventures one day.