Tomorrow Salina turns 30 years old. She was born in Germany to two Hannoverians, Kurtisane and Salut, and was branded as well as entered into the Main Mare Book as she got older and went to inspections.
She was imported as a brood mare to the U.S. Somewhere along the way she was trained to at least fourth level dressage, lost an eye, and developed arthritis in both knees.
When she was 23 she came to live with us on November Hill. I have said before: I saw her photograph and fell in love with her spirit and personality, and although originally I thought she would be a therapy horse for my clients, in the end she has turned out to be a therapy horse for me.
She can be high-strung, is very opinionated, and has been high maintenance from the beginning. She gave me some of the most advanced rides of my life, taught me about hoof abscesses, senior feeds, arthritic joints, helping horses get up when they can't do it on their own, and is teaching me now about Cushing's disease.
She became, early on, my sister in spirit at the barn. If anything goes on here and I don't know about it, she tells me. She has come to my bedroom window in the night and woken me with her insistent, urgent, whinny. On many occasions I have felt pain in my own body at the site of her aches and pains.
The most important thing and the first thing she taught me was to center myself when asking for anything from a horse.
She is wise and beautiful and we love her.
Happy birthday, Salina! I'll add a birthday portrait tomorrow, but wanted to get this up today.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Happy birthday to a wonderful mare!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate. She is out in the front field right now, standing by her beloved friend Keil Bay, both of them looking in at me as I type this.
ReplyDeleteWe tapered the Pergolide up and now we're tapering back down - there seems to be a sweet spot at 1.15 or so mg.
Happy birthday to the mighty Salina - long may she reign. Hugs to you both!
ReplyDeleteSalina is a queen who wears her crown with dignity and intelligence. She has taught you much but in return she has been loved and cared for like no one else could do. I'm happy she's with you all at November Hill and may she be there for as long as she wants to be. Happy Birthday to The Goddess Salina!
ReplyDeleteThanks, C - we welcome the hugs!!
ReplyDeleteA, thank you for that lovely tribute - we are lucky to have her here!
ReplyDeleteWe love you Salina!
ReplyDeleteYes, we do!! xxoo
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Salina! I look forward to the portrait. She sounds like a wise, special being.
ReplyDeleteI gave her some oats this AM for an early birthday treat!
ReplyDeleteMaire, she's a once-in-a-lifetime mare, I think. She is out with her herd today, grazing from front field to back, as I have opened everything up for them. :)
ReplyDeleteMatthew, I need to bake some horse cookies for her and for Cody's birthdays. She is happily following Keil Bay from front to back to front to back as they go from grass to hay. :)
ReplyDelete