A Tribute to Pharaoh

For those of us who had the privilege to know, ride and love
this wonderful horse …
You touched our lives in so many ways …
You will always be remembered for your big heart,
so full of patience and kindness.
Always so curious, so smart, and so brave …
You kept us safe on the trails.
Your humorous ways always brought us up when we needed it most.
You are a true Champion ! 
We will hold you in our hearts until we meet again,
our beautiful boy.
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 Ode to a Horse - A Poem by Ronald Duncan  

Where in the world can man find nobility without pride,
Friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity !
Here, where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined.
He serves without servility, has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent, nothing as quick, nothing as patient.
The world’s past has been borne on his back.
We are his heirs; he is our inheritance.
The Horse

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                                            Just A Horse

"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and, once it has done so, he will have to accept that his life will be radically changed". -Ralph Waldo Emerson

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse", or, "that's a lot of money for, just a horse".

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse".

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse".

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse", but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a horse", then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a horseman".

So next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.
-anonymous
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In Memory of Colors

Colors passed away on February 6th, 2008 at Toy Box Farm.
He lived out the final years of his life with serious medical problems
but was always friendly and ready to say hello to anyone who approached him.
He enjoyed the company of his true friends, Jiminy Cricket, Yum Yum, Jack and Tilly.
Thanks to the kindness of Kim, Joanne and Michelle at Toy Box Farm,
he was well taken care of and dearly loved.
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