This page is a memorial to the horses of Heart of Dixie Horse Lovers Club members that have served faithfully and provided many good memories.
 

The Beauty in the stall 

by Rose Thompson

I found a beauty in a stall today after searching for a year. 
A wonderful little pony for my little girl. 

She looked so sad and forlorn, in that dark stall. 
She wasn’t even that pretty, I didn’t think she would do at all. 

I tried so many horses, going all over the state, 
I didn’t even want to look at her she just didn’t look that great. 

But tired as I was that day, looking at all the horses there, 
I said, “Get her out, I try her, you never know 

He brought her out, she seemed kind of small, 
And old, and messy and probably won’t do at all. 

But upon her back I went and the life in her rose up 
and an instant smile came upon my face and I said, “Wow, how much?” 

I knew right then I had found the one, 
And my heart began to swell. 

How can you know when it is the one, 
sometimes it just comes through, 

And I knew with the beauty in the stall, 
that this was the one who would be true. 

She would carry my child, with the greatest of care, never letting her fall to the ground. 
Up the hills and through the creeks she was trustworthy, loyal and kind. 

She stood so patiently when Caroline would struggle to mount her, 
Never moving, never minding, the little girl. 

She came named Beauty, that she was not, 
So my Caroline called her Scarlet. 

Our Beauty in the stall became a beauty in our eyes, 
For the wonderful times that we’ve had. 

She has shouldered my cries at the loss of my horse, 
She seemed to have had that motherly way. 

We had many an offer to buy our beauty, 
But none could ever have had. 

Because friends don’t sell friends, 
And family keeps you till the end 

With her saddle and bridle her life came up, 
And I wondered what she must have been. 

But when riding was over and she shed her riding clothes, 
You could tell that our beauty was old. 

Her head fell, her body drooped down, 
And once again she was the beauty in the stall. 

She was laid down to rest on my birthday, 
Just as my horse was laid on my mother’s birthday. 

How God plans his ways, with particular days, 
A mystery that is for sure. 

I am thankful for the wonderful Scarlet, the beauty in the stall, 
Who always took care of my little girl. 

So goodbye to our Scarlet wherever you are, 
Caroline looks to the sky for that shooting star. 

How we wonder about life and it’s ending and all, 
But I know one day, we will see again, our beauty in the stall. 

God bless all those who have shared with Caroline and I in our lives and enriched us.

Tribute to Ranger, Unknown-1985 

Six weeks after my baby was born I had to have a horse. Ranger fit the bill! A beautiful gaited sorrel with a blaze face and a couple of white stocking made him the perfect horse for me. I purchased a small 2-horse trailer and he pretty well filled it up when he got in. Days turned into years as we rode many a trail. He was my special equine friend and always seemed to be listening when I was troubled and just needed to get away. Just him and me sharing the trails and having a one sided conversation! Love you, Ranger, always! 

Tribute to ChoBask, 1993-1999 

Everyone has a dream of owning and loving the Black Stallion but few have ever experienced how it truly feels. ChoBask was a very special horse that came as close to the Black as there has ever been although he was a bay. His mother was injured shortly after his birth and needed lots of medical attention that lead to his exceptional personality when coming in contact with people. I first laid eyes on him at 6 months of age as he was standing in the stall along with another colt. Cracking the door to the stall opened the door to the best bond that I had ever experienced. As I walked into the stall this beautiful Arabian colt came up to me and could not seem to get enough attention and only want me to love on him. He found his way into my heart from the very moment that I laid eyes on him. As time went by and his hormones started to kick in he began to talk to me with his deep quite voice as if he was afraid someone else might hear him. It wasn’t when it was time to eat but anytime that I went into his stall. What a wonderful feeling that is! To know this gorgeous Arabian stallion loved me was like nothing I had ever known before! I will never know again the pride that I felt when I sat upon his back. To me, even with his imperfections he was the most beautiful Arabian that has ever been or will ever be and he was mine. Never in the rest of my life will I find one that had as much love to give and such a special way of receiving my love! Thanks to Joan Brown for breeding his parents and selling him to me. His sire and dam have both joined him in death and I know there can never be another ChoBask! How fortunate I was to have had the opportunity of loving him and having him love me back! 

Tribute to Denison, 1973-2002 “My special show horse” 

A Champion he was! From bucking in the ring to plain lying down in the line up you never knew what to expect. This gorgeous bay Arabian horse of mine was a pistol ball! His mother won the US Nationals in cutting when he was 6 months old and I purchased him as a 2 1/2 year old. He carried his mother’s gene because he could run to the fence, stop, turn and be ½ the way back before my other horse could even stop. Wanting my daughter to have a horse I decided to sell Denison since he was a little too much for her. He was used as a school horse at Browntree Arabians for a while at a young age. He went on to win the Georgia State Championship in Arabian Western Pleasure near the beginning of his show career. You would think this had to be the perfect horse for an amateur like me! Once I had repurchased Denison it was off to the shows after spending a small fortune acquiring my attire. For several shows all he wanted to do was buck! One judge offered me the conciliation that he was young. Oops! Lady, this horse is 8 years old! He did manage to place a few times and even won a Western Pleasure Championship with me aboard. Each time that he left the ring, usually dead last, one would think that he was worth a million bucks and he looked it! Every muscle collected and the most fabulous Western jog that even an entry in the Arabian US Nationals would envy! As for me, I couldn’t have been prouder of him if he had won. I have loved him for over half of my life even though he was ornery. We laid him to rest at the grand old age of 29 and I will always cherish the memories that he gave me. 

Tribute to Pride, Unknown – 2004 

The first time I saw Pride he was at a sale with a little girl standing on his back. He was a strawberry roam with a flaxen mane and tail and stood 16 hands tall. I knew this was the horse that I wanted for my husband, Don. Don’t get me wrong he had his moment when he thought he was still a colt and offered Don a buck or two now and then. After a year of enjoyment riding the trails disaster struck. Pride managed to wrap the wire fence around his hind leg. It was cut to the bone with about 2 inches of it showing. Being assured by the vet that his quality of life would be good and he would be back on the trails, Pride and I began the long journey on the road to recovery. Daily his leg had to be doctored and wrapped for 8 months. On one occasion while I had inner ear trouble, as I was leaning down to bandage his leg I fell under him. His only response was to turn his head to look at me as if to ask, “Well, are you going to get up?” He allowed his bandages to stay on his leg for the full 8 months and never once pulled at it. I did not get on Pride’s back from July 11 until March 9 of the following year and only then as they were laying Denison, my lifelong Arabian companion, to rest in the back field. I needed at the time to know that I was able to save him although I couldn’t save Denison. He was ride able again! Pride and I spent many hours just riding the track at Central City Park to get him back in shape and give him time to learn to use his leg since the tendons on the front had been severed. Before his injury he could rack like a rocking chair but after, he could only pace. But that was OK we still had him with us and that is what counted! We created in the next 2 years memories that Don and I will cherish forever. We lost him suddenly and he did not suffer and for that we will be forever grateful.

       Today I said Goodbye to my Best friend.   My Beautiful Copper Stallion. My closest childhood buddy. The one I shared all of my secrets with.   My partner for all my adventures and expeditions. The psychic one who knew my every thought.   My comforter when I was sad, My playmate, The one who answered his name when I called, who galloped up to my whistle, The Baby sitter who taught my children to ride. 
      Just two nights ago I polished your gleaming copper coat and cream colored mane and tail while singing you the song "Wildfire".  You must have somehow known because you stuck by me all night as I walked from stall to stall feeding everyone else. I wish I'd known, I would have stayed with you and savored every second of the rest of your life. I feel cheated that you were taken from me early. My heart will be so empty without  you. Last night as I  buried my face in your soft mane I wanted to sleep with you forever. You were my dream come true. 
      When your Mother was pregnant with you, I dreamed and prayed you would be a red stallion. I remember the day you were born. I was SO happy and proud. Every second of my life was spent teaching and talking to you. When you were too young to ride, I took you swimming in the lake to make your lungs strong. I galloped your Mom up and down the sandbars while you eagerly followed to make your muscles strong. We went for long walks, I showed you everything so you would never be afraid of anything, and you weren't. When you were old enough for formal training and I introduced you to the bit, you told me you didn't like it, so we made a pact that you would never run away with me if I promised to always use a gentle hackamore. We both lived up to our 
pact. When the glorious day came to mount my perfect prince, we both were fearless. I'll never forget that moment. 
      You were the best. The smartest, The magnificent one. I was so blessed to have had you.  Some of my happiest childhood memories were of galloping you and your mother up the creek to Granny's house for homemade cookies which she happily gave to "all" of us. My sweet Granny beat you to heaven only by a couple of  weeks. I bet she has cookies waiting for you there my friend!!!  The Legacy of foals you left behind will comfort me, but no one will ever fill the huge hole in my heart, my LIFE that you once filled. 
      My Trojan horse, your thick arched neck, Large noble eyes. Velvet mussel, I will miss you so much....When I get to heaven, and I'm standing at the gates, I'm going to whistle and expect you to gallop up and carry me across. If  you don't, It wont be heaven to me.. Gallop in the clouds with your Mom now my Copper Prince, painfree forever. I love you !!!  Holly 01/05/2001

My experience with Big Man’s Death

By Rose Thompson

       I ponder on the wonderful moments that we had.  How he had a special noise all his own that he would make when we were on rides and he was so happy.  How he never balked at anything I asked him and always tried his hardest for me.    I think of how wonderful he looked in his parade costume and how much he loved to be in parades and go on trail rides with friends. How excited he would get when going over to Sue Patterson’s house to ride with her. He loved people and would always want to veer off when he saw people so they could pet him. He was such a big gentle giant and adored children.  I could put any child on him and lunge him and he would take care of them.  Caroline first learned to ride on Big Man. She would walk, trot and canter with him. 
      He took me on toward higher levels of riding with the Parelli system that we just recently passed the Level 1 on.  He helped me trust horses again, and find myself, and even helped me feel comfortable riding bareback.  Just a month ago we were in the yard and I rode him bareback with just a string around his neck.  I emailed a few people to tell them what a beautiful experience that was.  I loved the way he placed his head in my chest when he would rest, when we were doing our Parelli lessons.  I would then sometimes lean into him and give him a sweet kiss on the ear or top of the head. 
      He loved his bath and always stood still as a statue as well as standing like a statue when being groomed. He seemed to always be conscious of being careful around people. 
      This past week when the pain was too bad he didn’t get up for his bucket with medicine in it.  Caroline and I went over and knelt down and held the bucket for him to eat lying down.  A sweet moment to add to my collection, that is for sure. 
      I remember when he would get worried about something on the trail he would turn his head around and look and me as if to ask… Is it ok, mommy?  What sweetness I cannot even describe; we have shared.  It has been a most special love affair.  I can say that he will always be with me in my heart. 
      I am very sad of course but to know that freedom for him is soon to be had, is a great comfort to me.  Many of us believe that God provides a place for special pets that we will be able experience love with them again.  I certainly believe.  Though the lessons in life may be difficult Jesus said,  “Lo I am with you always, come follow me and I will give you rest.”   I am ready for some rest. 
      I think sometimes now Big Man was a special angel sent for me in a needy time in my life.  I am thankful for the blessing even though our time together was so short.  I mourn the loss of time and love that we will not share until another day. I look to God now to send another blessing my way. Big Man has shown me that blessings can be all around us in many things and people as well. 
      It is certainly amazing what God provides for us.  The evening of Big Man’s death I was in the shower and heard an old song in my head but the only words were..”Freedom”  then I heard Big Man say, “Look Mommy, I have new legs”.  What a relief.  That night in bed I saw him running happily and saying, “You don’t get tired when you run!” as if in amazement.
      The next morning he was still running and so happy.  I looked to this for support.  Then in the car on the way to school today I felt a sadness creeping up on me and the best vision so far arrived.  Big Man and I were riding and he was running.  He was somewhat bigger and whiter and his face had a softer look to it.  All of a sudden he skidded to a stop and I began to fall over his neck and head. I thought I am going to break my neck, but I did a front roll out and was flat on my back, and the ground was like pillowy air.  He put his muzzle down in my stomach and tickled me and then got down and rolled and then quickly got up to run some more.  I was on his back then and he said, “You can ride me anytime.”  I was so comforted and thankful for that opportunity of the window of heaven opening for me.  I got home today and told Monte and he was very teary eyed as he told me that all day today he kept hearing the song, “When we all get to heaven.”  I told him I needed to write all this down before I forgot because it won’t last forever.  I believe it is a comfort sent to us now to help us through.
      On the way to school again, I saw Big Man in the distance rearing up and waving his legs.  I thought that this must be the close of our holy time together.  Then a gasp of sadness came over me and instantly he was there with his head in my chest and I rubbed his face and neck saying, “I know every hair on your body, every line in your face, every muscle, every sinew.”  And I rubbed his soft neck and gained that special comfort again.  Then suddenly he flipped me up in the air and over his back and I thought I am going to hurt my back when I land on his back.  But when I landed on him we were back to back in an odd position but it was soft and I realized that in this plane of time you won’t get hurt and now Big Man is so happy and playful. The great white dove then appeared in front of me taking up the whole scene with its wings outstretched, and the peace of knowing spread throughout me, once again. 
      I will always remember spring for Big Man.  The white flowers are just in their full bloom now, the cherry trees, the lady banks white rose, the iberis, white iris, and the dogwood.  I’ll remember the great white horse I had with the big heart and the greater white dove who takes care of him now and comforts me and who one day will call me home to glory. 
      I bought a prayer box necklace the day of Big Man’s transformation.  I often find it open now when I am wearing it.  I think this is my reminder to pray often and everywhere and about everything.  Pray specifically.  The Peace is Flowing like a River song is coming to my mind some now.  How easily now, I feel I have escaped the agony of the death of a friend.  How amazingly God can provide for us.  The depth of my sorrow is great, but the depth of joy is also great.  I am thankful for the experience of life and the after life.  I will cling to the memories now and the knowing that “I know that I know that I know” that “when we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be……