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




Our Sultan, or "Sulty" was a beautiful bay solid Appaloosa gelding. He was the calmest horse you could ever hope to meet, and nothing upset him. He was a perfect 'beginners' horse, and he taught us so much. He was always so patient and trusting. He gave rides to anyone quietly, whether it was a child under five or an adult petrified of horses. He never scared anyone. He was too gentle, and cute, and beautiful and evoked nothing but pleasure to the people who met him. He had a sense of humour, if a horse may have one, and he seemed to know just where he fit into the scheme of things. He took life light-heartedly, always calm even in states of emergency. While with us, he survived a fall through an icy river in January (Equus True Tale, Oct. 1996) but he could not survive his final ordeal.
On January 14th in the early morning Sulty broke his left hind leg due to a tragic accident. When we arrived at the scene he was standing there, happy to see us, his leg dangling uselessly, begging for oats. He didn't seem to mind that his leg was broken, not at all. The vet came and we had to put him to sleep where he stood. With the group of people, who came to help, all crying, it was the saddest things I've ever had to witness. But we were with him for every moment, and he never suffered; he never was afraid. We will always love him, and never forget him. Our first horse, and a dream come true. Thank you, Sulty, for everything.


To 'Sulty'
by Veronica Pelot

I will never forget you
Sulty, my friend.
Never.
You have marked my life.
You are a part of me.

I will always remember
Your brown fur.
Red and gold, and warm and glowing
Glistening in the sun,
Stealing it's warmth,
Until you glowed.
Fuzzy in winter,
Sleek as silk in the summer.
Always beautiful.

I will always remember
Your large soul-ful eyes.
Beautiful brown, with a hint of blue
They led to your soul.
They showed your unquestioning trust,
Your peace with the world.
Sometimes drowsy and sleepy
Other times hopeful, or wide and alert
Always calm, always brilliant
And beautiful,
They were you.

You were so gently powerful
And so powerfully gentle.
So dignified and determined.
You brought joy and a touch of magic
A smile,
To the lives of those young and old,
Brave or afraid,
They all loved you.

I want to always remember
The joy and honour of having you.
And the pain of losing you,
A small price to pay.
You were worth everything.
A gift from God
For 19 years, and now you are with Him
Grazing His pastures, until we meet again.
Until we meet again,
I will miss you, and remember you.



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