The Most Perfect Timing

When adding another horse to our family happened at a perfect time

Grief is such a strange journey, as it really has no destination, no timeline.

It has been almost two weeks Since Sahara passed. These weeks have been tough, I’m not going to lie or sugarcoat it. Going out for a run or walk, trying to get dressed, trying to get out of bed somedays proved to be difficult. When out on walks, all I could think about was her and how I would have loved to be riding with her on beautiful, sunny days. She would have loved to lay in the sun, and eat, graze, and roll.

I got a text from my trainer, asking how I was doing. I told her I had been sad, but was doing what I could.

That past weekend, I did what I could to make her grave less “grave” like. It was a huge pile of dirt before I spent Saturday the 22nd of March outside all day, hauling rocks down from one side of our property to the other, building a “retaining wall” of sorts and a smaller pit filled with sand, where metal flowers and her memorial stone will go. To be honest, it was a lot of work, but mostly therapeutic. It was honorable and memorable for her, and I like that I can see it when I walk outside.

I’m truly grateful for the people in my life who have shared their condolences with her passing. I have had friends call, stop by, and even send me a stuffed animal lookalike that Sunday (I was surprised and have a good cry in my driveway). I’ve received cards, plants, and a lot of check-ins. Not only was Sahara loved, I know I am too.

That Monday, my trainer asked if I wanted to learn more about a potential unicorn she found us. I said yes, because knowing me, I knew that I had a horse-sized hole in my heart that only another horse could fill.

The thing with abruptly loosing a horse is, you have to figure out how to get another one in time, especially if they get attached. Thankfully Summit was ok in the short term, but long term, we needed to weigh our options: would it be adoption, fostering, care lease, or would we have to work with an incredibly tight budget.

We met him that Monday evening, and I already knew that he was a golden pony. Before I caught him (which he insisted I didn’t at first) I just held out my hand. gave him some scratches, and then we both knew, let’s give this a try.

I rode him out in their field, with the fresh wisdom and knowledge that Sahara had bestowed upon me, even in our short time together, she taught me to just try, to be confident, and to be fair and kind. I could sense that everything she taught me was not only radiating through me, but through this horse. Honestly, if time weren’t a thing, I would have spent the rest of the evening hanging out with him.

Knowing his registered name and knowing myself, before I went to meet him, I wrote down three names. I told myself that if we were meant to be, he would let me know which of the three names he would want. When we were walking back to the barn, I let one slip out loud. This was it.

I didn’t have to convince Long, or myself, that we were ready for this kind horse. I knew he was ready for his next chapter too.

We picked him up today, and he loaded in so well and whinnied a bit on the drive to our home. When we pulled down the driveway, he whinnied even louder. He was met with a call from Summit who also let out a whinny and excited sprints. I like to think they were saying, “hey, where am I!?” “You’re home!”

He’s settled in incredibly well. I’ve never had a gelding pair before (I’ve only had mares and Summit) and what a difference it already is!

I spent some time brushing him, sitting with him, giving him treats, and talking to him.

While I still get sad thinking about Sahara andour short time together, I know that every horse is different and will teach me different things in my journey with these magnificent creatures. I can’t wait to show Cosmo our neighborhood, what we can see together, and what the world has in store for us. More than anything, we couldn’t have imagined more perfect timing. I absolutely love looking out the window now to see two horses again.

Welcome to the family, Cosmo