[Artemisia] Gaelin the Gentle passes

[Willa Rose]

It's been two days now, and its time to let his friends know.
Yaas
Willa


Gaelin the Gentle
01-25-86 to 01-27-10

Big boned 16Hh bay AppendixQuarterhorse with a kind and gentle heart. He 
helped start the equestrian program in Artemisia, and my therapeutic 
horseback-riding program for victimized kids. Before he came to me, he 
was a track horse (California) and then a competitive jumper (Jackson 
Hole, WY), and I think he played a little polo there too. His name then 
was ET (short for Esperanca Two). I was told he was quite a handful in 
his younger years. Some thought he was a crazy horse as he did buck his 
last owner off a few times. I didn't believe that he was crazy, but that 
he only had vision problems; and that he did. To me, he was a 
magnificent creature and said 'yes', when he was offered to me. Right 
away he was turned out for the winter into a field with 7 other 
geldings. Watching him interact with the other horses taught me that he 
lacked confidence. I changed his name to Gaelin and told him he was 
retired from having to be brave, and only if he wanted to, he could be 
brave; but it wasn’t required. Within a few months, he taught me that 
all he really needed was someone to trust, to guide him with confidence. 
Over the years, several opportunities arose where we learned to trust 
him. For almost 10-years the circle of trust flourished.

As an SCA gaming horse, he helped introduce foam-tip jousting, mounted 
archery and crest-combat to Artemisians. Many Artemisian equestrians 
rode him, from young kids to gamers to royalty. In the modern world, he 
carried my husband Joseph to the top of some pretty steep mountains... I 
like to think that Gaelin was his horse... and set the pace in many 
parades, which we love to do, even behind noisy fire engines. He carried 
me on my first sidesaddle canter; and down the polo field at a full 
gallop for my first true "bump"... a tactical move for taking your 
opponent off the line-of-the-ball so you or your teammate can steal it 
(the ball, that is) away for a goal. Wow! That was a thrill! With such 
strength and endurance, I could always imagine him in his youth and how 
he must've exploded over fences in the jumping arena. Yet with all his 
mightiness, he was THE best gentle lesson horse in my riding program. He 
understood what was needed of him and enjoyed his retired life carrying 
little darlings around and helping them to gain confidence in 
themselves. He would nuzzle them before and afterwards and look 
longingly with his soulful eyes at me always questioning, "What's next?" 
Gaelin was 24-years and 2 days old, and euthanized in peace January 27, 
2010.

Out of all the horses I’ve had the honor to caring for, I felt a special 
commitment to Gaelin; to do the best I could to spare his life from any 
trauma. This prayer is befitting for such a giant of a heart of a horse.

And, my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, 
hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not 
having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I 
shall leave this Earth knowing, with the last breath I draw, that my 
fate was always safest in your hands.

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