Remembering Two Special Horses
Along with the joys of summertime weather and opening for camp this summer, Furnace Brook Farm has experienced two difficult losses.
We're writing to share the sad news that two of our horses, Chief and Patty, passed away this month. Knowing that these two souls were special to so many people, we wanted to be sure that everyone in the extended FBF family knew about this important, but difficult update.
To read more about Chief and Patty, please see Erin's posts that she wrote on Facebook, copied below. Thank you for all of the kind words shared about Chief and Patty. We've shared some from Jody Anderson Bloom, an FBF friend who posted this quote:
"And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed." (Maya Angelou)
THS Downright Legal (aka Chief)
(July 9, 2020) RIP THS Downright Legal (Syndicat Legaltender x Downright Upright) aka Chief. Our hearts are heavy at FBF today with the passing of our beloved Chief. Chief was our first home bred, our last tie to my beloved Regal, named after the best father/grandfather our family was lucky to have, and was just the sweetest and kindest soul. Chief taught many to ride, took many to shows and joined in on camp through the years. He was my mother’s absolute favorite.
Chief lived 29 years on the same farm with the same people who adored him. He never knew hunger, was never overworked and was always loved and appreciated. He was a lucky horse for sure but we were even more lucky to be his people.
For that reason we felt he deserved the very best right up to the end - an end to his pain for an injury we were assured there was no hope of recovering from. We gave him the gift he deserved. He had a wonderful last day - turned out all morning with his best friend Sobe and spoiled rotten by many friends - both old and new. Carly Marie and Kelsey Huston I know he loved having you with him on his last day. You were so special to him. Liz Higgins, you were with us in spirit. Thank you to South Shore Equine Clinic, Dr
Linda Cimetti and Dr Caitlin Owens - your expertise and guidance is so appreciated but even more so your kindness and emotional support is beyond appreciated. Run free sweet boy - we love and miss you already.
Lady Patty
(July 21, 2020) RIP Lady Patty. Yesterday our special Patty lost her battle with an acute colic at the age of 26. Patty came to us 3 years ago through the incredible work of Morgan Safenet and Colleen Saint Loup. Colleen and her crew found Patty in a kill pen on a dark night in January tagged for slaughter. Through the help of many incredible people (Deanna Roach, I believe you were there and Jane Belleville, I believe you paid her bail?)
Patty was rescued from a horrible fate and sent to Lori Sargeant to be fostered. From here another angel, Leslie Kelley stepped up. We had just lost an incredible mare at 31 so Leslie called me and said what do think? Will you take her for your therapy program? I will get her to you. Of course I said "yes" and Patty made the journey to FBF.
We all fell in love. She was sweet, her white face showed the signs of poor fitting halter, she was a bit reactive at times (whose to blame her?) but she persevered. She knew she was safe. I researched her through the AMHA and found out that she had been bred at age 2 and 3, had the same recorded owner until being dumped at the kill pen at the age of 23. Her most important work was just beginning.
Patty became the cornerstone of our equine mental health therapy program. A survivor of trauma herself, she became the star of our program for children who had suffered trauma. Children who had been betrayed, often by those who should be most trusted, found comfort in this mighty little mare. She gave them peace, she gave them love. She gave them a reason to believe that life could get better. She had her physical scars that spoke of her tough journey but she would stand with ears up for hours while they groomed her, talked to her and took comfort from her. She gave many their first ever ride on a horse. She gave them a break from the stress of their young lives. She will now teach them the painful life lesson of letting go. It is my hope that they will remember her strength and her spirit and her incredible ability to persevere. She was special. She was wise.
Patty also connected with many of FBF “barn rats” - two in particular. Kids that had their own struggles (as we all do). She bonded with them. She loved them. One showed her at a 4-H show - Patty was so proud to be cleaned up, braided and looking so good. Her special friend, who always gave her comfort and confidence, was with her all day on her last day. Walking her, holding her during the veterinarian visit and comforting her through her pain. How incredible that this mare felt such love in her time of need when she had been failed by people so much in the past.
Patty crossed the rainbow bridge with purple sparkly hooves - from polish lovingly applied last week by some students in our trauma program. Those purple sparkly hooves represent the absolute Queen you are Patty. You will be so missed.
Thank you to all for had a hand in getting Patty to FBF. Please consider Morgan Safenet if you looking to support an animal rescue - they do such incredible work.
