Hi, I had to put my horse of 19 years down Monday night after her 3rd seizure (she was 27). Still processing and feel very heartbroken but also so thankful to have had her for so long. I’m wondering if anyone has thoughts on how to honor her memory? I was thinking of planting a tree where she was buried but I just don’t know that I could go to the barn and water it while it gets established. A plaque? A donation in her memory? Also, there were so many wonderful people at the barn that helped along the way, any thoughts on how to say thank you in a way that is meaningful? Thanks all.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I lost my horse last month after 17 years (he was 31yo). It’s so very hard to deal with the heartbreak and grieving the loss of a special companion.
To honor my horse’s memory, in my home I have an engraved box for his ashes (head/heart/hooves), his hair tied in blue ribbons and an indoor plant to go with it. I am also getting a tattoo of him next month.
If you would like to say thank you to the barn where you kept her, may I suggest a framed picture of your horse and a thank you card? As for the individual people along the way, I’m sure they were happy to help, and wished they could do more, and your thanking them is already more than enough.
Take what that horse has taught you, how to be a better human, how to be a better horseman, and apply that in your life, and with another horse.
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What @NancyM said :yes:
If BO allows, I’d plant the tree (apple?) & ask if barn workers or friends can help water until it gets established.
I was fortunate to have portraits done of 2 of my horses before they passed & both (pastel of my TB, pencil of DH’s TWH) have Place of Honor in my LR.
If you have a good photo, an artist could work from that.
For both the horses, my vet donated in their names to the local vet college.
I love the tree idea. You could also donate a memorial bench to the barn with a plaque with the horse’s name and dates. The bench wouldn’t require maintenence
Having a bench with a view of the ring is a lovely thing and a nice gift to the barn.
I have a dear friend who recently lost a very special old horse and a group of her friends and I commissioned a painted Breyer model of him. The artist was wonderful and it came out spectacularly.
But that would be more for you; not so much for the barn.
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Love this idea. What @NancyM said is your best living memorial, take everything your horse gave you and pass it along.
