Cowgirl Up on LatigoLiz.com

Friday, October 3, 2008

Gai Lana

Gai Lana was a special little mare. She was only with our family for a short few months, but I like to think that they were some of her best few months, with the exception of a few minor incidents.

Lana came to us via a posting to a Freecycle list in our area.

Within a couple of weeks or so of being posted there, she was in our barn. She was a prime example that any horse can end up in a place that they don’t deserve to be. This mare should have ended up in the fanciest place on earth to live out her days. We tried to give her that here. She certainly was as happy as a horse could be.

The folks that we got her from were the nicest people. Not rich, but neither are we, still a strong sense of love for her. Their little girl loved that horse just like every grateful little girl does. She hated saying goodbye the day we picked her up, but she new that Lana would be in a happy place with all the grass she could eat and a flat pasture perfect for an arthritic old mare. That family did the right thing and found her a good home before they got into trouble not being able to care for her in her final days. This was a few years ago before feed and fuel prices were out of control like they are now.

Most of these pictures were taken a few short months before her passing.

How does a well-bred, used-up, sweet old mare end up being given away? I will share more of her story in time.

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14 comments:

Amanda said...

I am so glad you were there for her Liz, she looks so sweet and I love the photo of her laying down. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the story.

cdncowgirl said...

Too bad more horses aren't as fortunate as she was.
I really think the fewer owners a horse has the more likely they are to have good owners.
I also think my mare, Cessa, is one of the lucky ones. She's 27 and I'm her 2nd owner. She was bred and raised by the brother of one of the teachers at my high school. I got her from him and she is the most special (to me) horse I've ever had. She's "retired" now, just gets ridden lightly occassionally, but she gets all her regular care (ie vet farrier etc) plus special feed and LOTS of lovin'.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Yes, that is a pretty picture of her with the mountain in the background. Is that Mt. Ranier?

Thank God some owners are kind enough that they will give away an unmarketable horse if they can't keep it and make sure it has a good home instead of trying to wring a few hundred dollars out of it. Thank God for people like you who take them in.

www.GreenerPastures--ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com

Pony Girl said...

I love the photo of her laying down, her face is so expressive there.
I wish I had the land and funds to just help elderly horses finish out there years. If I ever make my millions (any ideas?) that is what I want to do.

LatigoLiz said...

Amanda, she honestly was the sweetest horse I have had the pleasure of being around.

cdncowgirl, I agree. The fewer the owners, the better. And WHO bred the horse originally makes a difference, too. Sometimes a horse that was bred b a “show” breeder isn’t exactly the best place to start. Culling by breeders can be merciless when it is a high volume breeder. Sometimes the discerning small “backyard” breeder can be a better place to start. Unfortunately, too many aren’t educated and discerning!

Debi, yes, that is Mt. Rainier. A frequent sight, but certainly NOT on a blustery day like today! The folks I got Lana from only paid $200 for her originally. It was not about the money for them. They couldn’t afford to have her euthanized and knew that she wasn’t ready to go anyway.

PG, you will in time. Do what you can when you can. I just yesterday heard about 6 purebred Egyptian Arabians that needed a new home(s). Timing is everything and there is NO WAY I could even take one of them now...much to my dismay.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

What a beauty Lana was. Kudos to you for allowing her your home and love to spend her last days.

Please tell me more about her soon. I promise to check back on your blog soon.

I also wanted to tell you thanks for the wonderfully supportive and kind comments you left for me on my blog, concerning my son's injury.
It is much appreciated :)

Take Care,
~Lisa

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I always say the same thing Pony Girl, that if I ever hit the lottery, my dream would be to create a haven for rescued animals, especially horses. I'd love to do that.

www.GreenerPastures--ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I thought that was Mount Rainier. I think I mentioned, hubby is from Seattle. Auburn actually. He talks about that mountain often. He says Virginia is a lot like WA but of course we don't have mountains that big! So pretty. Nice place for Lana to spend her last days.

www.GreenerPastures--ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com

SunnySD said...

She's beautiful even as an oldster - you can still see how lovely she must have been in her prime. Looking forward to hearing more.

StarRunner said...

How was she bred? She wouldn't happen to be by Gay-Gaero was she? That was my family's old stallion who we had until his death.

LatigoLiz said...

More on her coming soon, I promise. Sorry, she was not sired by Gay-Gaero.

StarRunner said...

Thanks for the comment :) Still look forward to hearing her story.

I had heard at one point and time, one of Gay's kids named Gaylana (but spelled that way) had ended up in a miserable situation.

Train Wreck said...

Oh what a sweet mare. God bless you for taking such good care of her in her final walk through life!

Rachel said...

Such a blessing that you gave her some terrific time to enjoy her retirement.

And you must be local because we see Mt Rainier every day on our drive home :) Found you through Pat's site (post where she trimmed Sea). We love her and so does our mare!