It's always hardest to say goodbye to the ones who've been here a long time. Today we have to say goodbye to 35-year-old Nelly who laid down in her stall after eating her dinner and getting her normal evening hug from Nina, and left us to join our greener pastures herd overnight.
What can you say about Nelly? A LOT and I hope you all do in the comments. Nelly lived with us for nine years, after coming to us emaciated with several loose teeth. We fixed her teeth, started her on her senior pelleted diet, and she quickly became a fixture on the farm.
An original Bug Club horse, she gave many kids their first rides, both lead line and independently. She was always fierce but kind, a true diva, and was fiercely loyal to her friends. From ancient Sam, and then Buddy mule after we lost Sam, she has always had one best friend who she cared for. Buddy mule is also 35 and pretty lost this morning, even though we made sure he got plenty of time to say goodbye, and we are very concerned about him. Lots of love for him please.
When Nelly was about 29 she flunked out of Bug Club. No, not retired, flunked out, as her attitude came out full force. She wanted to GO! She was often a ringleader in breaking out of her pasture, leading her besties Buddy (and sometimes Chip) all around the farm and up and down the road, their speed belying their age as they ran free. It's not hard to imagine her flying across the pastures in the sky today, mane flying and tail flagging, saying hello to all her old friends.
Nelly was the best friend, best grandma to all the babies, and one of the sweetest mares you could find. We'll miss her downward facing dog stretches in the morning, her sweet hugs, and everything about her.
Prayers for Buddy, Chip, all her other senior friends, and us, of course.
If you'd like to help honor her, consider donating towards her burial costs and senior feed for her friends. We are picking up a pallet (40 bags at $30) today, and feeding is definitely the part that will hit us the most.
http://gentlespirithorses.org/donate
Run fast and fly free, Nelly. You will be greatly missed.