In September 2004, my dream of owning my horse came true when I bought a chestnut mare named Rosa.
In the 4-1/2 years that I had Rosa, we had lots of good times and a few not-so-good times… like when she bonked me in the head and gave me a black eye. I literally saw the flesh above my eye swell immediately on impact. I’m sure she broke my baby toe when she stepped on it once. And the biggie was when I fell off Rosa 1-1/2 years ago. I’d fallen off her before without sustaining too much damage, but this time was pretty bad. I ended up with a couple of cracked ribs and a partially collapsed lung. It hurt like hell, especially on day 3. But on the positive side, the doctor told me not to go to work for 3 weeks. SWEET!!! I also couldn’t drive — but that wasn’t so bad, I just walked everywhere I needed to go :-)
We went on some great rides together. The best two were in March 2006 and May 2007. Sometimes we went out for 2 or 3 hours at a time — usually on the first nice spring day when it felt great to be outside in the fresh air and warm sunshine. Most of the time, it was just Rosa and me, walking and trotting and cantering for miles and miles. I would relax and think and just enjoy having some quiet time.
Last August, I made a tough decision — I put Rosa up for sale. I just didn’t have the time or desire to ride anymore. Falling off a horse and breaking ribs will do that to a person ;-) I wanted her to go to a home where she would get lots of love and attention and be well cared for. And today, I found that home for her, with a mother and daughter who were looking for a horse just like Rosa.
I’m happy that Rosa has a good new home. But I’m also sad that she isn’t mine anymore. It hurts my heart, but I know that this is the best thing for Rosa. And that’s what matters most. So, good-bye my four-legged friend. I’m going to miss you…
