"There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse."
Memorial Ceremonies and Help
Markers
Keepsakes
Suggested Memorial Donation
Other Resources
Memorials
Of the 6.5 million horses in the United States today, 60% are
pleasure horses, according to the American Horse Council. Senior
horses are particularly valued as pleasure horses, teachers, and therapists,
and, when we can no longer ride or drive them, as close companions.
Unlike America's beloved dogs who live to 10-15 and cats who live to 15-30,
we have horses that have been in a family for 38-40 years. As
the role of the horse in America has
changed dramatically from laborer to recreational partner, so has the viewpoint
of his caregiver.
Deserving
senior horses are beautiful, if only in the eyes of the owner who has shared
so many trails with them. It is our job to maintain their quality of
life. It is our job to learn what is, and is not, an acceptable
quality of life. Lastly, it is our job to ensure they do not suffer
when that quality cannot be maintained.
One of the missions of Del
Camino is to help horse owners find timely information that guides them
through this journey. We want to keep our seniors as fit, as active,
as contented as possible, as long as possible. It can be done.
Eventually,
however, we all part with a beloved companion. When that time comes,
every person must cope with the immediate loss, and then find a comfortable
way to incorporate the memories into his life. The incredible variety
of experience and culture people bring with them to this process means there
is no one-size-fits-all method of grieving, honoring, or remembering.
This is one of those aspects of life where others may comfort and support,
but really cannot completely share, your feelings. Nor can anyone
properly judge another's path through this emotional journey. The
resources we offer here have helped other people who have lost a horse that
was a dear friend — and one or more of them may help you.
We dedicate our work to a few
of many beloved Del Camino horses: Freckles, who left us at age 43,
Miss Cricket, who delighted children until age 38, Captain Oliver
"Ollie" who fought Cushing's until age 32, but had lost his best
friend, Jordan, who succumbed to bladder cancer at 28, Brandy's Prince,
and Smokey, both of whom had Cushing's which caused laminitis at age 26, and
dear JJ Kahnsquest, the little Arab whose giant heart failed him at 24.
Thank you for having graced our
lives, and taught so many people the joy of horsemanship.
My horse has gone ahead now,
To blaze a trail for us;
To find out every rocky place,
Or one where we can’t pass;
He'll seek the finest grassland,
And water fresh and pure;
To make sure when we travel on,
Our path beyond is clear;
He’s never let me down before,
I know now and I see;
He’ll blaze our trail to heaven,
And come back one day for me.
©Kate Howe
2004/California Rancher
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Bringing closure and demonstrating respect ...
Our own tradition is to make a braided horsehair
bracelet from a lock of tail or mane. We place this with a
collection of a few photos, and sometimes ribbons, and the horse's stall
plate or monogrammed halter at the barn for about a week. Students
and friends contribute their own photos during that time. Often
children draw or color a goodbye portrait. For especially close
friends of the horse, we give a lock of tail or mane, with a photo, as a
memento. Finally, we donate in their memory something appropriate to
a horse rescue or sanctuary: either cash or horse clothing, such as our
friend's sheet, blanket, boots and fly mask, or another barn item on their
list of much needed equipment and supplies. What our friend no longer
needs, another horse does.
We regret not having
taken videos over the years. But for decades we didn't have digital
camcorders that fit in a barn jacket pocket. There are some
wonderful memorials put together with video, stills, and music on YouTube
to give you ideas. Here's one of a much loved 23 year old, "Junior"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE-FmJUwlv4
These links may help you find a means of expressing
your loss, or helping children.
Hoofbeats_in_Heaven Yahoo Grief Support Group for Horsepeople who have lost or are about to lose their beloved horse.
Companion Animal Association of Arizona, Pet Grief
Support Service has
trained volunteers, including horse people, with a helpline, support groups, and
helpful links. An excellent comprehensive resource provided by dedicated
people based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In-Memory-of-Pets.com
tributes, poems, ceremonies, resources.
University of California, Davis, School of
Veterinary Medicine’s Pet Loss Support Hotline, 800-565-1526.
Argus Institute, Colorado State University assists families grieving the loss of a pet, and veterinarians and veterinary technicians coping with hospice care and euthanasia and assisting the humans
through the process.
Here are three books written specifically for people
who have lost an animal companion: The first is written specifically for horse
owners.
Markers for Home
Burials Pet grave markers There are also garden markers
which can be placed other than the gravesite itself.
Memorial Garden Rocks
Memorial Garden Trees with Plaques
Horse Memorial Sign Markers by EZ Signs Online These sign makers have been in business for twenty years specializing in signage for stables and farms
Gray, Pink, and White Native American Hand Hitched Genuine Horsehair Hatband
Most of these lovely memorial keepsakes can be custom made for you from your own horsehair. Check with the artist, however, in most cases, a hank of tail hair is best. Let the artist clean the hair, or follow instructions — he or she is the expert!
Many cultures have made beautiful, lasting, and functional items by hitching (like lacing, it is a knotting method) and braiding horsehair. For the Native Americans of the Great Plains, West, and Southwest, where the reintroduced horse vastly improved mobility, and the standard of living, and for the tired cowboys around
the campfires on the range and cattle drives, basketry, jewelry making, sewing, whittling, leatherworking, carving, and hitching or braiding horsehair into useful objects helped the after dinner conversation along.
Whether indigenous or immigrant in heritage, these Americans put some of their spirit, and that of the horse, into each of their hatbands, reins, bridles, ditty bags, bracelets, belts, stampede strings, and other handicrafts. When you honor the memory of your horse with a horsehair keepsake, you may also be creating a
family heirloom that honors the traditions of a great land, and the uniquely American heritage of which you and your horse can preserve the legacy.
Custom Horsehair Pottery, Made from Your Horse's
Hair
Witchey Lady Custom
Horsehair Dreamcatcher Creations
Elegant Horsehair Jewelry
by Cynthia Boyer
Handy Horsewoman, Gayle's Hairlooms, Hairloom
Shadowboxes, Wood Frames
Suzanne Storms - Hairwork Artist - Custom Horsehair Jewelry Includes bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, watches, men's items
Knot-a-Tail Horse Hair Accessories - Mesa, AZ Besides the regular inventory of handmade horse hair items, Custom products made from your horse's hair are
available. These include: hatbands, stampede strings, bracelets, key fob/chains, zipper pulls, tassels made from your horse's hair. Made by real horse people who deeply understand your love of that special horse, and all horses.
Tracy Scott - My Kindred Spirit - Grand Junction, CO artist makes lovely wall art keepsakes, in keeping with Lakota artistic traditions based on The Horse Dance Stick. Beautiful and unique reminders of the special place your horse filled in your heart.
Spirit of Horse Gallery, Equine Art and Gifts of Kim McElroy - Kingston, WA
Please consider making a
donation of some kind to a horse rescue or horse sanctuary in memory of your
friend. Most of these wonderful charities post a "wish" or "needs"
list on their website. Besides cash, of course, hay, first aid supplies,
tack, horse clothing, barn tools, even supplements are welcome. What
your friend no longer needs, another horse needs desperately. Thank
you.
The Del Camino
Products and Services
catalog offers some horse
products of interest to owners of senior horses.
Horse Welfare Statistics
Equinezone Horse Supply
