Starla, The Final Chapter.

Lady La La

Lady La La

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As most of you probably know, I lost my beautiful mare on Thursday after a horrific head injury. I thought a nice way for me to remember her and all that we acheived together, was to write it down. I thought some of you might like to read it too, as she really was an incredible mare.
I sort of stole this idea from Laura, after following her stories about Lucy. (I hope you don't mind Laura.)

So, Starla - This is Your Life.

It isn't finished, but here are the first few chapters that I have managed.





Starla – Chapter 1

I don’t have the beginning, I thought I had the middle, but it turns out all that’s left is the end.
You came to me three years ago now, and even that happened by mistake. I had just sold Frankie, my confidence was in tatters and my budget was low. I trawled through for sale ads, trying to find something reasonable for the pathetic amount of money I had left to my name. “Sweet little cob” is what they described you as, so I thought it was worth a go…

I pulled up at the yard with your Aunty Sue in tow, and there you were…small, fat and hairy. Your back legs looked as though they were crossed behind and your bum stood a good inch higher than the rest of you! Your Aunty Sue and I exchanged glances and headed off back to the car before we were spotted. Too late. We had been seen.

I watched them tack you up, as you stood there good as gold, then we wondered over to the arena to watch you being ridden. You moved surprisingly well considering your conformation, you were so active behind! I started to think you weren’t so bad after all. Due to the facilities at your old yard, all I could do was trot you around a tiny arena, not much bigger than a lunging pen. I decided that as I couldn’t try you out on a hack, or even canter you it was all far too much of a gamble. I made my excuses and we left.

A week went by and I still hadn’t found anything I wanted to bring home.
Then something happened. Something that I now know is because me and you, we were meant to be together. Your old owners called Aunty Sue, they had a few people come and look at you, but before they sold you to anyone else, they wanted to check we really didn’t want you. Unbeknown to me, your Aunty Sue had arranged for you to come to me on a weeklong trial. She saw something special in you, and for that I will be forever grateful to her...
 
Chapter Two

Well, you’d been with me six days by this point and in these six days I had found out:
You can’t canter, you’re incredibly marish, you have no idea what a jump is, you’re terrible in traffic and by far your most annoying habit, you will NOT stand for me to get on! But did I care?
No. You had captured my heart with your quirky little ways and you were not going anywhere.

The next few weeks however, were a huge struggle. Your behaviour seemed to deteriorate. After everything I had been through with Frankie I was desperate to ride but you just didn’t seem to want me to. Once I was on you, you never put a hoof out of place, but then that was you all over wasn’t it? You always looked after me. I had your teeth checked, the back lady out and a brand new saddle purchased for you. I couldn’t afford to eat for a month, but hey! I knew you’d return the favour someday…

Three weeks down the line, and you were getting better. I couldn’t understand why you didn’t want my Shetland gelding anywhere near you, but then he’s not everyone’s cup of tea I suppose. I was a little gutted. I had hoped the two of you were going to become firm friends. Little did I know you would later become inseparable!

I was getting on much better with riding you now, we were hacking out regularly and even started working on poles. I decided to have you clipped.

That didn’t impress you, did it Starla? 4 hours, a lot of patience and a tube of sedative later and you looked lovely.

I couldn’t help but wonder why you had protested so much. What were you trying to tell me? …Funny little mare.
 
Chapter – 3

Six weeks into owning you, and it happened. You dropped that bomb shell on me. You’re pregnant.

I brought you in from the field to ride, and took off your rug. You didn’t look right. You weren’t fat, your tummy wasn’t big and round, but you just looked all wrong.
You had always been a funny shape; I thought that was just you! I didn’t care, I called you my funny looking pit pony!

Anyway, the vet came out, and sure enough after nearly losing his arm up your backside he confirmed that you are pregnant and due to foal in around 6-8 weeks. I cried. I panicked. I was going to have to sell you. I don’t know about foals, or pregnancy. I don’t have that kind of experience and knowledge. The best thing I could do for you was to find someone who could look after you like you deserved.

I had a cigarette and calmed down. I rang your aunty Sue. Her exact words were “Don’t worry Jen, I have a book. We’ll get through this. Go and give your mare a hug.” Thank god for your aunty Sue Starla.

You had your foal exactly 5 days after the vet’s visit. Luckily Jade and Shane made you a double sized stable for you foaling box, and we got you in it just in time. I spent my evenings reading up on what to do with after birth, and the feeding of a lactating mare, but you didn’t need me. You did it all yourself.
I’ll never forget seeing you that morning, looking so proud of yourself as you licked your filly clean.

What a testament to your character, so close to foaling and allowing yourself to be poked, prodded, ridden and chucked in the field with geldings. I really didn’t deserve you…
 
Chapter 4

You had your baby in the middle of the cold snap in Febuary 2008, snow covered the fields and I had to stitch up all of your rugs so that the baby could drink and you could stay warm. Three weeks nearly passed before I could put you out, it’s a good job your stable was so big!
I spent hours in your box talking to foaly, we named her Willow. She had a headcoller on, and lifted all her feet up at 1 week old!

When the time eventually came to put you out your brave little baby lead the way while you hid behind me, snorting and threatening to kick anyone who came too close!

As summer edged closer, I moved you and Willow, along with Brodie the Shetland to a new yard where you could all be on grass livery. Brodie used to escape into your field sometimes, but you always saw him off and sent him back to where he belonged!

Willow grew bigger and stronger and you my girl blossomed into the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Your summer coat was glossy and sleek and you had a spring in your step and a sparkle in your eye! I couldn’t wait to ride you again.

With the help of your Aunty Sue, we weaned you and Willow, and Willow went off with Rose to start the next chapter of her life. I set about riding you again, and getting you fit. You looked after me every step of the way. Brodie became your new ‘Willow’ and the pair of you stuck together like glue.

Winter came and went and the next year brought so many first times for the pair of us…

Our first ever dressage test, You did me proud and we came home with a 5th. This was the first rosette I had ever earned!

Our first ever show jumping show. You never really seemed to like jumping, and we never made it much above 2’ but my god you tried! You’d try anything for me, and I loved you for it…
 
Gosh keep it coming trying hard not to cry xx

She sounds like a very special mare - cherish the memories and the fact you got to have such an incredible bond... she'll stay with you always xx
 
Chapter 5 – Your final chapter.

Another year was upon us, and this time we really had it cracked. I knew you like the back of my hand and likewise you knew me.

We were doing well with Prelim tests, and it was my goal to have a go at a novice dressage test. You still couldn’t jump but that didn’t matter…

We used to have so much fun out hacking. No matter what happened you always brought me home safe. In fact, you were so dependable in company no matter how fast we were going that I decided to have a go at hunting you. Something else to add to the list of first times that you have given me.

We turned up at the meet, our first ever experience of autumn hunting. You didn’t let me down. You cantered on the buckle happily at the front, or the back. I felt you get tired, but you carried on, doing your best to please me, Because that’s you. That’s what you did.

You went lame after hunting, with a tendon injury. You endured box rest and made no fuss. I roughed you off this winter. I let you get hairy and as soon as the vet said you were allowed, I let you live out again. Without a care in the world.

I got myself something on loan to ride, I tried to tell you every day that it was only while your leg was poorly, and that I didn’t love you any less. I can only hope that you understood.

It was Thursday the 25th of November, and I got that call. That call that made my blood run cold. You had banged your head and looked ‘wobbley.’ I raced over to the yard and there you were. Bleeding from your head and your nose.

We did everything we could for you Starla horse. But it wasn’t to be. I’ll never forgive myself for not giving you that extra groom, and for letting you die thinking that you had been replaced by another horse.

I could never love anything or anyone as much as I love you. Never forget that. And thank you.
xxx
 
blimey, couldn't help myself but cry :( what a sad ending to such a lovely story! She knew she was loved, you should have no doubt about that.
 
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Rest in peace. Beautiful BEAUTIFUL girl x
 
No good lots of tears now... she didn't think she'd been replaced - she knew you loved her and she loved you in return...

A bond like you had isn't something that everyone gets to have with their horses - she will stay with you always, when times are hard if you look behind you you will see hoof prints next to yours - as she walks with you.

Hugs for your loss - the hole in your heart never goes but you will come to remember the good times with a smile on your face...

xxxx
 
Brilliant......

The tears are rolling. x x x x x


Such a horrible accident can take them away from us early. I hope we all appricate our horses as you did.

Don't regret anything, she didn't need that extra groom, she had you and that was everything.
 
Blubbing at my desk :o

So sorry for your loss. A lovely story and plenty of cherished memories of a lovely lady who is now resting in peace :)
 
Thank you for sharing her story, she sounds like one in a million. I am now blubbing as this bought back memories of horses I have loved and had pass on.

You will never replace her, but one day you will find another to love and you also have Willow to look at and remind you of what a special mare Starla was.
 
..that made me cry .. huge hugs to you, starla knew you loved her and she knew you didn't 'replace' her .. R.I.P to a very special mare .. xx
 
what an absolutely lovely story, i'm blubbering like a toddler (sorry about that, i'm sure that's not what you need !) a real testament to the love and bond a horse and owner can and should form, take care and RIP Starla, she was beautiful xx
 
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