Post by Anne_Oxfordshire on Dec 6, 2008 14:49:50 GMT 1
My beautiful girl, Galaxy, was put to sleep yesterday. She was my first pony and I'm not sure I'll ever find another pony who measures up to how special she was. I wanted to post these photos to show you just a little of our life together and show you why I love her so much.
May 1994 - The day she arrived: She came from a riding school in Belgium (I was living in Luxembourg) and when she arrived she had a bad back and a nasty lung infection. We took her on a month's trial to make sure her conditions were treatable and thank goodness they were (can you imagine a 13 year old girl giving back her first ever long-awaited pony after a month?!)
(Eeeeek at the dangerous gate and loose wire!!! )
I spent every second with her that entire summer holiday! I groomed her for hours, took her for walks in hand to eat grass, rode her, and just sat looking at her!
Having come off riding school ponies I needed something steady and safe and she was such a star and looked after me so well - do you know, in the entire 14 years we were together I never once fell off her?!
We went to our first show later that summer and did the jumping and handy pony.
And in the autumn we did our first mounted games competition and WON!!! I was so proud of her!
That winter we did something very exciting... we went on a mock hunt! I'm a bit of a wimp about galloping and jumping cross country but Galaxy looked after me of course and we had a wonderful time
In time we were asked to join a mounted games team and had a great time doing that, and also won our first competition, beating the best team in the country!
Sometimes though we just had fun at home... and dressed up as cowboys! ;D
Sadly at age 18 Galaxy developed arthritis but was still able to be ridden gently so we just hacked about the villages at walk and enjoyed being out and about.
Aged 22, she moved to England with her friends Pierre and Fifi.
Leaving Luxembourg behind...
And just arrived in England....
Celebrating her 23rd birthday
In England we got quite into our in-hand veteran showing classes and enjoyed some success but more importantly some nice days out. Galaxy was always superbly well behaved at shows and was a true pleasure to take anywhere.
But eventually her arthritis got too bad to take her on any more outings so she enjoyed just chilling out at home with her friends in the most beautiful and peaceful place I know.
This winter her arthritis got even worse to the point where I could see she was in permanent discomfort, if not pain, and I had to make the very difficult decision to let her go. Though I will miss her with all my heart I love her too much to let her suffer.
So after a peaceful day enjoying the winter sunshine in her field, she was put to sleep with me at her side on 5th December 2008.
Galaxy - you gave me more than I can ever give you. You were the best pony a girl could ever ask for and more. Thank you with all my heart for giving me fourteen years of your life and making me so happy and showing me what true love feels like. I am honoured and blessed that you were my pony and I am hoping you are at peace now, grazing in green fields and galloping with friends old and new.
May 1994 - The day she arrived: She came from a riding school in Belgium (I was living in Luxembourg) and when she arrived she had a bad back and a nasty lung infection. We took her on a month's trial to make sure her conditions were treatable and thank goodness they were (can you imagine a 13 year old girl giving back her first ever long-awaited pony after a month?!)
(Eeeeek at the dangerous gate and loose wire!!! )
I spent every second with her that entire summer holiday! I groomed her for hours, took her for walks in hand to eat grass, rode her, and just sat looking at her!
Having come off riding school ponies I needed something steady and safe and she was such a star and looked after me so well - do you know, in the entire 14 years we were together I never once fell off her?!
We went to our first show later that summer and did the jumping and handy pony.
And in the autumn we did our first mounted games competition and WON!!! I was so proud of her!
That winter we did something very exciting... we went on a mock hunt! I'm a bit of a wimp about galloping and jumping cross country but Galaxy looked after me of course and we had a wonderful time
In time we were asked to join a mounted games team and had a great time doing that, and also won our first competition, beating the best team in the country!
Sometimes though we just had fun at home... and dressed up as cowboys! ;D
Sadly at age 18 Galaxy developed arthritis but was still able to be ridden gently so we just hacked about the villages at walk and enjoyed being out and about.
Aged 22, she moved to England with her friends Pierre and Fifi.
Leaving Luxembourg behind...
And just arrived in England....
Celebrating her 23rd birthday
In England we got quite into our in-hand veteran showing classes and enjoyed some success but more importantly some nice days out. Galaxy was always superbly well behaved at shows and was a true pleasure to take anywhere.
But eventually her arthritis got too bad to take her on any more outings so she enjoyed just chilling out at home with her friends in the most beautiful and peaceful place I know.
This winter her arthritis got even worse to the point where I could see she was in permanent discomfort, if not pain, and I had to make the very difficult decision to let her go. Though I will miss her with all my heart I love her too much to let her suffer.
So after a peaceful day enjoying the winter sunshine in her field, she was put to sleep with me at her side on 5th December 2008.
Galaxy - you gave me more than I can ever give you. You were the best pony a girl could ever ask for and more. Thank you with all my heart for giving me fourteen years of your life and making me so happy and showing me what true love feels like. I am honoured and blessed that you were my pony and I am hoping you are at peace now, grazing in green fields and galloping with friends old and new.