Meg - 1991 to 2024

A very sad day.  L was contacted last night by the owner (J) of Meg, the horse she had ridden until the last couple of years, when she was retired.  Her condition has deteriorated in recent months, she was on ever increasing medication for pain and was no longer able to lie down.  The decision had been made and J wanted to give us the opportunity to say goodbye.

We visited this afternoon.  Meg is the kindest, most gentle horse I've ever known.  I've never ridden her, but I've still built up a bond with her through clearing her field and stable when I visit.  I hadn't seen her for a few months and could see how much weight she'd lost.  She was 33.  

I'm not the greatest with words but I did find an extract from 'The Ode to the Horse' by Ronald Duncan, kindly reproduced with permission of © Ronald Duncan Estate.

"Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,
friendship without envy or beauty without vanity?

Here, where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined."

And from the Horse's Prayer:

"Finally, O my master! When my health and strength are gone -
When I'm getting old and feeble, and my long life's work is done -

Don't sell me to cruel or strange owners, to be slaved to my last breath,
But grant me the untold blessing of a quick and painless death;

That, as you have always found me a patient and loyal friend,
The years of my faithful service may be crowned by a peaceful end"