Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Goodbye, Sparkle.

I had a great lesson on Hampton today, but unfortunately I also received news that my old Morgan mare, Sparkle, died this morning. She had a severe case of colic. The vet said she would likely not survive the trip to Purdue (the closest large animal clinic for surgery ...)

She was euthanized.

You can read more about Sparkles HERE.

She was easily into her 20s and had enjoyed a wonderful retirement with a great family. Before that, she gave my family 2 gorgeous fillies. And before that, she gave me and my sister more victory passes than I can count. (Including a World Champion title in 1998).

Sparkle was there through college, graduation, numerous boyfriends, 2 jobs and other life changes. She was really part of the family. I am so sad, but know that the family did the right thing for her. She was never sick a day in her life before this.

She had the most unique, sassy nicker at feeding time. I remember how quiet the barn seemed when she had left to her retirement home. She hated cats and once picked up a calico and flung it out of her stall. She also hated shots. You had to pin her against the wall and hope for the best for vaccines. But for everything else she was perfect.

I will miss her.

Spice O Life Sparkle Plenty

Indiana All Morgan 



Mid-A Regional in Hershey, PA


Gold Cup Regional, Columbus, Ohio


You got peppermints sir?

Sparkle let my dad lead her around while I tortured her baby.


When Sparkle was in heat, she would sit on the doors.






T-Bone, Sparle and Corinne at Triple Creek


licking my glove


Corinne, her first baby

and then she had Piper. :)

Piper nommin' her leg

I have a baby now? When did this happen?!

Ft. Wayne Indiana


YES!! You DO have peppermints!

Fuzzy Sparkle.

15 comments:

eventer79 said...

Gosh, every horse should be so lucky to have a life so well-loved! What a neat mare and I love your photo tribute to her.

Kate said...

I am so sorry for your loss, and the loss of the family that had her in retirement. Thank you for the lovely photo tribute - what a beautiful mare, and full of personality.

S. Lauren said...

So sorry to hear. :( She was so beautiful.

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Wow - what a lovely mare.

Thanks for sharing those great pictures. Looks like she had a wonderful life with your family. So sorry for your loss. :(

Jeni said...

What a wonderful mare. I'm very sorry for yours and her other family's loss.

Dom said...

I am so very sorry. She was beautiful.

Amy Lo said...

Sorry for your loss. RIP Sparkle.

Kate said...

I was also once "owned" by a Morgan mare, though I didn't actually own her. They are something else, aren't they? I am so sorry for your loss. She had a real sparkle to her, and she was obviously well-loved.

Checkmark115 said...

she is beautiful!!
and looks liek she had a wonderful hapopy life. What a cute nose :)

BeBe said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Sparkle was a beautiful and talented mare.

Kelly said...

Beautiful mare and lovely babies! So sorry for your loss - but what a life she had.

SprinklerBandit said...

She was lovely. :-)

Carol said...

Sorry to read this. What an accomplished horse she was. The photos are a great record of her life.

Gator Girl Tales said...

So sad to hear about Sparkle!! She was a great horse and I remember reading your posts about your times with her. *HUG*

Lisa said...

The good ponies leave us with more good memories than sadness when they go. She sounds like a good pony.