The Tribute
Arena
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Mia
June 4, 2001
Some of you will
remember Mia, but for those of you who don't...
Mia was a mare I
rode for two years just prior to getting Bess five years ago...so my journey
with her began seven years ago (can it be that long?). She was a lovely,
spirited, 9 year old thoroughbred off the track. She actually somewhat
scared me when I first was getting to know her. I thought she was too much
for me, but the QH I had been riding had died (cancer) and she was the only
horse available, so I started riding her. Mia was very green and together we
discovered the joys and challenges of "forward". Our lunging
sessions were always mandatory before a ride and were quite exhilarating.
Gradually, we developed a partnership...we worked hard...we bonded...we went
to a few schooling shows...we bonded.
I'd never bonded to that extent with a horse before. I think that's what got
me into mares. I would drive out to ride and call out to Mia as I walked
toward the barn. She would meet me inside, ready for a ride. She was bred
one year and lost the foal. No person had told me yet, but Mia did. Her
owner came out and I asked her when Mia had lost the foal. She asked how I
knew. They took Mia one winter to a boarding stable nearby with an
indoor...I hadn't seen her for a month or two. Her owner broke her foot and
needed help getting Mia home, so I said I'd meet her husband at the stable.
On the way there, I "told" Mia I was coming to take her home. At
the stable, they had put her outside so they could clean her stall, like
they did everyday, except this day she refused to come in when they went to
get her.
When I was finally ready to own my own horse, it was Mia I wanted...Mia I
thought I would take home. After much thought, her owner decided not to sell
and it broke my heart. I left and didn't return for perhaps two years. I got
Bess in the meantime and that was a good match, though different. When I did
finally go to visit Mia, she was being ridden by her owner, who stopped her
to say hi...Mia shoved her face in my arms and I gave her a hug.
Mia has been on "mom" duty for the last several years. I heard Monday
that two weeks ago, while delivering her latest foal, she prolapsed her
rectum and died. I don't have all the details, and really don't need them.
Really, until now, I haven't let myself feel much, except for the first
shock of knowing. She had a good home and I know she had it for life. I also
know that had she needed a home,I would have given it to her gladly.
The dream I held out was that when Bess was ready to retire, my next horse
would be perhaps Mia's last foal. Her foal (a colt) did live and is fine and
has been adopted by a neighbor's mare. He's a Hanoverian/TB cross and I'm
sure he'll be lovely. But it's not anywhere near time for Bess to retire and
I do not need to add to the herd. So for now, I say good-bye to the first
mare I loved...and hope it's a very long time before I have to say good-bye
to my Bess.
Sandra
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