A terrible tragedy happened this morning at my farm. When I looked out in the pasture while having breakfast around 7 am, all the horses were hanging around up here by the house, all fine, patiently waiting for me to come out. When I went out a few minutes later, my black horse Lane Loner – the master commander of this farm – was standing with his head down, off from the others, pointing his right front foot. I grabbed the phone, called the vet, yelled for the vet intern who is staying here (in the house) this month, and went over to him. He’d badly broken his forearm (the big bone above the knee.)
I do not know what happened. It could have been any trip, stumble, misstep, slip or anything.
He was calm and stoic. I gave him some painkillers and brought his breakfast to him as he could not walk. Dr. Bowman arrived shortly after and confirmed my worst fears.
Lane was put down at 10 am this morning.
We called him Lane the Wonder Horse because he was a wonderful horse, yes, but also because he could do ANYTHING and I always joked he probably “wondered?” what we were up to any given time we went for a ride.
A short list of Lane’s illustrious career:
16 full seasons of foxhunting
Nationally ranked at the novice and training level in eventing
Many hunter trials championships
Many many championships at judged pleasure rides
Carried the US flag in the 2000 Olympic welcome-home parade in The Plains
Carried a political candidate in the 2007 Fourth of July parade in Dale City, Va.
Carried many many many small medium and large children (of all ages) to their first “something” (ride, hunt, jump, trot, canter, show, etc.)
With his passing, Lane leaves a huge hole in my heart and a huge hole on this farm. His presence is already missed. When I turned the other horses out from the barn after Lane was gone, they all seemed confused, and PB, notably, went from stall to stall, one by one, and peered inside. He was looking for Lane.
Sadly, Lane is gone.
Please remember him and your own beloved horse friends today. Life is so fragile.
Godspeed, friend.
Oh no. I’m so very sorry for your loss. I hope it is some consolation that you were there and able to attend to him quickly.
I will be thinking of you.
I’m so, so sorry for your loss.
He sounds as though he was one in a million.
Godspeed Lane Loner
I am so sorry. I just don’t know what else to say. He had so many accomplishments and led a very full, active life. I hope and pray you not reflect on the loss but on the wonderful memories you had with your partner and friend. I will be praying for you and your family.
You are blessed to have been the admiring caretaker to such a special animal. Godspeed Lane Loner.
I too am grieving the loss of my most special 4-legged friend. You are not alone in your grief. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
In memoriam
I am so sorry for your loss, as well as the loss to others who rode him. Lane was such a great horse–a gentleman in an equine suit, even to the end. Lane was the kind of horse you felt privileged to ride. He had such presence and these wonderful, lofty gaits that made you feel like a king when he moved out.
One of my favorite memories of all time is hunting Lane last August. That was the last time I got to ride him. Here are some pictures of him then- http://flickr.com/photos/47988672@N00/tags/lane/show
See you on The Other Side, friend…
“Somewhere…somewhere in time’s own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.”
-Stanley Harrison
Sorry to hear about your loss:(
Godspeed Lane! What a wonderful horse! Many hugs!
Oh, I’m so terribly sorry to hear that - I rode Lane last year at your summer adult camp. He was a wonderful, wonderful horse.
My condolences.
I’m so sorry HR. He sounds like a very special boy.
Gosh, so sorry for the loss of a gallant horse. As JSwan offered, take comfort in the knowledge that you found him early on.
So sorry for your loss but so glad you were the one to find him and be with him. May all your fond memories help ease your heartbreak.
He was obviously loved and cared for, and he enjoyed his job. What a lucky horse! Being the horseman (woman) that you are, he had a life filled with excellent care, days full of galloping and jumping, laughing kids, and lots of praise.
I’m really sorry you lost him. It sucks to lose any horse, but to lose the truly kind and generous ones brings a new grief.
My heart goes out to you and I’m so sorry . Thank goodness you were there.Time will heal and you have so many wonderful memories…
I am so sorry. He sounds like a very special, much loved boy. hugs to you, as well as to his special horse and people friends who are grieving. He went way too soon.
Thanks all. I thought I was dehydrated from all the tears this morning, but the lovely words, especially, of Greg (re: the laughing kids) made them come back.
Oh my gosh.
A word to all, though – my mom came with me to the kennels (a local private pack), just a few miles up the road. I led the horse into the paddock and went off to find the huntsman, leaving my mom holding him and cuddling him and telling him how brave and wonderful he is. When I came back, my mom had a hand on his chest (over his heart.) She said (and pay close attention here, kiddies) that when I got back, and came around in front of him, his heart rate went wayyyy down. Like, she noticed it’d been racing a bit, and she thought he was becoming shocky, but that it went so far down when I came back around, that he obviously (SO obviously) took comfort that his trusted caretaker of nearly two decades was back and with him in his pain and fear.
It made me realize just how important, HOW IMPORTANT, our relationship with these brave, bold horses is. I had no idea how important until that instant, but it made the world swing into balance realizing that I HAD to be there with him, to the end, no matter how scary and awful. THEY NEED US, more, wayyyy more, than we need them.
Give your horses an extra kiss on the nose tomorrow and tell them how gallant they are.
I am so sorry for your loss.
What an incredibly special horse and what an incredibly special owner you have been…what a gift.
I’m so very sorry about your wonderful Lane. 
What sad news, I’m sorry for you- Lane was a lucky guy, the best of care and all that hunting to boot!
They are special, and I know your tears will over time be counterbalanced by all the fond memories.
Hark old Horse
This was posted on FOL. It’s very apt today:
HARK! OLD HORSE
Hark! Old horse.
Please meet me at the gate.
Hounds are leaving kennels soon,
And we will not be late.
Step up. Old horse.
Carry me to the meet.
Our years together count for much,
Though you’re no longer fleet.
Trot on. Old horse.
I know you hear the horn.
The hounds are in the valley now,
The fox is in the corn!
Kick on. Old horse,
My soulmate and my friend.
Our years together hunting are
The best that’s ever been.
Leap up. Old horse.
Take the bit and fly!
I still trust you like a brother,
Even though the fence is high.
Walk on. Old horse.
We’ll soon be hacking in.
Your nicker rests beside my heart.
Our souls entwine within.
Hark! Old horse.
The years reveal our fate.
If we should part before we wish. Please meet me at the gate.
Carla AKA “Fluffy”
TVH
