[Artemisia] Gaelin the Gentle passes

[Laura Stumpp]

I can only imagine your heartache, but at least you had each other for that
long. I know it must have made a great deal of difference to have someone
like you who cared for him.
Osondrea

On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 9:18 PM, Willa Rose <Yaas at dreamriverranch.org>wrote:

> 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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