On December 23, 2025, my sweet Mare was laid to rest after sudden and rapidly progressing health complications. It was unexpected, heartbreaking, and one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make — but it was made out of love, courage, and the promise I always kept to her: that her comfort and dignity would come first.
Mare came into my life in 2006. I had dreamed of owning a gaited horse, and from the moment I first met her the summer before, I knew she was everything I’d been looking for. At the time, her asking price was out of reach for my family, but I couldn’t forget her. We looked at countless other horses over time, yet none of them felt right. Eventually, we reached back out to Mare’s owners — and this time, it worked out. She finally became mine. We couldn’t bring her home right away—it was the middle of winter, and the trailer was buried in snow—but that didn’t stop me. I visited her constantly, and eventually, I rode her the three miles home myself. From that moment on, she wasn’t just a horse. She became my best friend.
Mare was my constant companion. She was my ride to friends’ houses on weekends, my partner as I learned new riding styles, and my teacher in patience, communication, and trust. Having grown up around mostly Arabians, learning her was a completely different experience — one built slowly, honestly, and deeply. She gave me experiences I’d only dreamed of. She took me new places, introduced me to incredible people, and gave me opportunities I never would have had without her. One of my proudest memories was showing her at the Illinois State Fair in the coliseum during my final year in 4-H — a dream I only achieved because of her. Over the years, Mare became well known in our area. Her striking profile, fiery spirit, and graceful, unique movement always turned heads. People recognized her wherever she went. She wasn’t just “a horse” — she was the horse.
From 2006 through 2025, we spent nearly two decades together. In that time, we traveled thousands of miles side by side — on trails, in arenas, and everywhere in between. We shared countless shows, endless adventures, and a bond deeper than words can truly express. Even though our time together has come to a close on this earth, she will always be my heart horse. She shaped who I am, carried me through so many seasons of life, and gave me more love, courage, and memories than I could’ve ever imagined.
Run free, Mare. Thank you for everything.
