Danny, my big chestnut Thoroughbred gelding, had to be put down this afternoon at the ripe old age of 27. In his youth he failed as a racehorse, so badly in fact that he never made it to an actual race because he wouldn't run without a tail in front of him. After he was kicked off the track and stuck in a field for three years to grow up, I bought him 22 years ago as a green-broke five year old. I was fresh out of college with my first real job, I had taken riding lessons for many years, and I was finally in a position to have a horse of my own - my lifelong dream.

The next few years were... interesting. We finally did manage to figure each other out after a bit more formal training with dressage instructors, a few trips to the ER (for me), and a lot of wet saddle blankets.

Danny eventually became a nice not-so-little trail horse, willing to do things that other horses refused once I took the time to show him that it was ok. I also used him in search and rescue, where he readily accepted dogs running under his feet and helicopters flying low enough overhead that we could feel the wind from the propellers.

Danny spent the last few years of his life at Idylwood Farm, an equine retirement facility in White Post, Virginia. The owners are wonderful people and I have them to thank for spoiling him rotten during his final days. We had learned a few weeks ago that he had heart problems, and I agonized over the decision of whether or not to put him down, as he was not in pain and still enjoying life. This afternoon the tumor near his heart ruptured, so he made the choice for me.

Godspeed my beautiful boy, you are running in greener pastures now.