D is for DREAM horse!

I bought my "dream horse," Chance, when I was eleven years old. As mentioned in my first post, I was a hard working young'n, and I managed to save up four thousand dollars to purchase a horse. We were together for over a decade, and he meant the world to me. I had him trained to do tricks, and he would even follow me around the pasture.

Shortly after my 25th birthday in October of 2011, I noticed a large bump protruding from the left side of Chance's face. You can kind of see it in this picture:

I had the vet come and biopsy the bump. Shockingly, the bump was a cancerous tumor. Heartbreak ensued. A few days later, I was able to ship Chance to Auburn University, which has an amazing Equine Center. The days that followed were heart wrenching and life changing. The cancer had spread throughout Chance's head and down into his lungs. The only humane choice was to euthanize him. On December 29th, 2011, a little before 6 p.m., Chance took his last breath. I was there with him as he left this world, silently begging for a few more seconds with him.

From the point of diagnosis to euthanasia, I kept a blog entitled Give Chance a Chance. I also included a PayPal donation link in hopes of receiving some relief from the immense cost of the entire process. Surprisingly enough, the blog received over 2,000 views, and I was able to raise enough money to completely cover the cost accrued. 

The first six months that followed Chance's death were incredibly difficult for me. I had expected to have him around for at least another ten years, and his untimely death tore me apart. We had been a part of each other's lives for almost fifteen years. He was my best friend.

Although horseback riding had been a part of my life since I was eight years old, I still couldn't bare to be around horses after Chance left me. I had many people invite me to ride their horses. I even had people offer me horses for free in return for my giving them a forever home. I could not do it. I could not remove myself from my rut.

However, after deciding upon a topic for this blog, I knew that horseback riding would be something I'd have to try again. I got in touch with a friend who owns Mirror Image Farm and let her know that the time had come.

My friend Kelsey came with me with a camera in hand, ready to capture my first time back in the saddle. Tyler, the owner of Mirror Image, introduced me to Molly, the horse I'd be riding. She doesn't look very happy in this picture, but she soon warmed up to me after I fed her carrots.

After brushing and saddling Molly, I began my first ride in almost a year. It was exhilarating! It came back to me just like riding a bike would for most. I felt natural. I felt at home. I felt at peace.

Words cannot encompass how truly grateful I am to have taken a step forward to ride again. I am fairly certain I have been smiling ever since.

I have decided that I want to get another horse. I'm not quite ready for the plunge yet, but I am fairly certain there is another dream horse out there for me. First, I need to find the finances necessary for such a commitment! 

I know one thing is for certain: I am a horseback rider. It is part of my identity. It is something that makes me feel "whole." I know I need it in my life in order to be me.