In Memory of

In Memory of

		10/29/07 - Tonight, I am very sad to tell you all that we lost Zoe, and her unborn foal, after a short but fierce fight with colic that ended in the operating theatre at CSU. Poor Zoe, I wish we could have done more for you, but even the best of care and modern science could not overcome your ruptured colon. Thank you for the time we spent together, thank you for being a wonderful mother and for giving us your beautiful filly "Taz." I know you were a great asset to every breeding program you were ever a part of, including our own, but more importantly than that, you were a wonderful mare, and I am very sorry that we could not save your life. May your pastures be greener and may your grain bucket never be empty! My heartfelt thanks to Lauren, Cate, Dr. Butley and the crowd at CSU who tried so hard to save Zoe, I appreciate all of your help and commitment. Stephanie
	Zoe
1994 - 2007

Cheech's Peppy Peanut
Rest in Peace
1984 - September 6, 2006

Just to let everyone know, on September 6th, Cheech had to be humanely euthanized. It was a
serious impaction colic, and she declined faster than modern science and the best of veterinary care
could manage.

Cheech, Thanks for your many years of faithful, honest service, teaching the thousands of lessons to
the hundreds of riders who learned from you. Your unbelievable work ethic, the endless patience you
showed the young and timid, and the energy and enthusiasm you saved for the bold, earned you not
only a lifetime home here, but a tremendous space in our hearts as well. We will miss your wonderful
manners, your honesty, your consistancy, your safe and careful nature, the way you took care of
your riders, and how you wrinkled your nose with disgust whenever anyone cuddled with you.

I wish we could have done more for you at the end, but for all of our science and technology,
sometimes all we can do is gently end the pain and let you go quietly into the night.

May your next pastures be greener, and your work load lighter, may you have your own gelding and
last, but certainly not least, may no one force you to succumb to the tortures known as cuddling,
petting, hugging and other frivolous human affections.

We will miss you!

In Loving Memory,

Stephanie and everyone (both 4 legged and 2) at RoanOake Farm

The Horse's Prayer

To thee, my master, I offer my prayer. Feed me, water and care for me, and when the day's work is
done, provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed, and stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.

Always be kind to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometimes, that
I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. Do not jerk the reins, and do not whip me
when going uphill. Never strike, beat, or kick me when I do not understand you. Watch me, and if I
fail to do your bidding, see if something is not wrong with my harness or feet.

Do not check me so that I cannot have free use of my head. If you insist that I wear blinkers, so that I
cannot see behind me as it was intended I should, I pray you be careful that the blinders stand well
out of my eyes. Do not overload me, or hitch me where water will drip on me. Keep me well shod.

Examine my teeth when I do not eat, I may have an ulcerated tooth, and that, you know, is very
painful. Do not tie my head in an unnatural position, or take away my best defense against flies and
mosquitoes by cutting off my tail.

I cannot tell you when I am thirsty, so give me clean, cool water often. Save me, by all means in your
power from that fatal disease - the glanders. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me,
that by signs you may know my condition. Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a
blanket on me, not when I am working, but when I am standing in the cold. Never put a frosty bit in
my mouth, first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands.

I try to carry you and your burden without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of the day
or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on hard pavement which I
have often prayed might not be of wood but of such a nature as to give me safe and sure footing.
Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service.

And finally, OH MY MASTER, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or
freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner, to be slowly tortured and starved to death, but do thou, My
Master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not
consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable.

AMEN

Author Unknown