Starla, The Final Chapter.

Beautiful words for a beautiful mare and partnership. Don't think about the 'what ifs' or the things you didn't do, remember her as you have done here. Also you have the added bonus of her daughter to remind you of her.

I hope things start to get a little easier for you, it will take time and you have Willow to help you x
 
Thank you for taking the time to read about her. I really think everyone at some point in their life should have a Starla horse.
Three years without falling off is an achievment, I always felt so safe with her.

like some of you said, she lives on in Willow and I'm very lucky to have such a lovely reminder of her.
 
I have just found some photos of her not long after I bought her.

This was her about a week before she gave birth!

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She knew that she was, and is, deeply loved. Please don't ever doubt that. I'm so sorry that you lost her, she sounds like a horse of a lifetime x
 
He is one hell of a dude! He was only a year old in those pictures!

Im sure some people would probably be able to look at her and know that she was in foal, but I had no clue! I had her 2 stage vetted and the vet didn't notice either! Bless her. x
 
Oh my god, I couldn't stop reading and i'm sat here with a lump in my throat the size of a beachball and can hardly see to type through tears.

I don't know you but I totally and utterly understand and sympathise. I've lost two horses of a lifetime, not to mention dogs (just can't go there).

Your love and understanding of your beautiful mare comes through loud and clear.

Terrible that you had your time with her cut so tragically short but thank goodness you found each other for the time you had. xxxxx
 
Arh that was just lovely to read i am sat in work with a lump in my throat trying not to cry. Well done for everything you acheived with her during your short time together, sounds like you had a really special bond.
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. RIP Starla.x
 
We bought my mare in spite of the fact she was possibly the ugliest youngster I had ever set eyes on. Her conformation is appalling, but we too are lucky enough to have the bond you had with Starla. No money in the world would part me from her.

I am so so sorry for your loss but your love of her is evident every time you write her name. Lucky girl to have had an owner that loved her as much as you did.
 
Beautiful memories of Starla, thank you for sharing. She was very lucky to find you, she was a beautiful mare and looks like she passed that onto her baby Willow :) Did you findout who her daddy was?
 
No, we never found out what the dad was. Willow lives about 5 minutes away from me, with a family friend! I see her every week but haven't been brave enough to go up and see her since Starla died. I will, but it's going to take everything I've got I think!

Edited to say - I couldn't afford three horses at that time. My friend lost her horse of a life time not long after buying Willow from me, and Willow helps her through it, even now. It's nice knowing she is helping someone get over the pain that I am going through myself at the moment. She's special, just like her mum.
 
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She was more than "a sweet little cob". She was a corker! What a beautiful wise head.

I came in late on the story. How did she hit her head so terribly? She obviously had the most loving hom possible with you. What horse could ask for more.
 
Im not sure how she did it, I don't think I will ever really know. My OH half arrived to feed and she was fine, he went into haybarn where she ALWAYS waits, and when he came back out she was staggering around and covered in blood. She suffered severe neurological damage, fractured her skull and went blind in both her eyes. It really was horrific. I thought making 'that' decision would be the hardest thing I would ever have to do but putting her out of her pain was the easiest decision I've ever had to make.
 
Whata lovely and fitting tribute to a beautiful horse... Thank you for sharing, she sounded like an amazing mare...so nice that part of her lives on in Willow XXX

Thank you. Willow is the spitting image of her too! I'm kicking myself for not keeping
her, but I am lucky enough to be able to see her when I like, and she has a fantastic home for life which is a nice reassurance.x
 
i first read this at work at lunch couldnt posted but sat with tears flowing down face - how lucky you were to have such a beautiful horse in your life - you memories will live on for ever. and what a lovely person to go for it with her - you saw something and boy you reaped rewards darling . * ok eyes watering now ** sweetheart some fine words were written " better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all" you have had the love honesty and the heart of a very special horse and look to stars and watch her run with the angels - big hugs and in my thoughts xx

ps time will come when you can go and see willow - but give yourself time hun there is no rush as willow be there - if need a shoulder pls pm me as i know how your beautiful horse meant to you - baby is my angel xxxx
 
What a lovely tribute to your girl. Sat here in tears for you. At least when you feel strong enough you can go and cuddle her baby, knowing how much your mare loved her. Dont beat yourself for having another horse. Im sure your mare knew how much you loved her every day :)
 
You and Starla clrearly had a wonderful bond. I'm sure she didn't feel 'replaced', she understood.

You've made me cry like a baby with your story. RIP little lady. Keep the memories close to your heart, and water them with both tears and smiles, and she'll never be far from you.

I'm dreading the day that something happens to Ron, and reading things like this always brings it home how suddenly these things can happen.
 
Wow, very moving story. It's scary how quickly these things can happen.
I have to say I definitely admire the bond you had with your mare, it's something I hope to establish with my boy one day :)

As everyone has said, I'm sure she understood and never felt replaced.
 
I was doing so well until the last part, now i'm in tears too. Please don't think that she felt replaced, it sounds like you had too strong a bond for some time in the field to upset her. She probably loved her holiday in the field, and her last day would have been a day of pure horseyness stuffing her face with her friends. You sound like you're being very strong about it, but have a hug anyway, i can't imagine what you're going through losing her so suddenly x
 
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