
08/30/2025
This is truly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write.
This Thursday, we had to say goodbye to Leo.
What commenced the two days prior was truly a living nightmare. He developed severe liver failure with irreparable damage including blindness, seizures and more. It was so fast and he had zero symptoms before that.
We took him down to Tufts University School of Vet. Medicine- the best in the northeast in hopes they could help him. The amazing team there truly did everything they could to try and save him. They have never seen a liver case this severe and do not know the cause and may never know as it is extremely rare.
I can’t even put into words the soul shattering heartbreak this is.
Many of you know Leo from the last few years, as the liberty and bridleless superstar he was, but before that he was so much more for me.
He was the little 3 year old a 17 year old who’d never started a horse before, took home. He took care of me, never letting me feel an ounce of fear, as I fumbled through my first c**t start.
He was the adventure buddy who explored the trails and roads with me every weekend as I got through college. Never herd bound or spooky, just he and I cantering through every trail I could find.
He was the horse I discovered liberty with. Bringing his playful energy and patience as I started to discover a world that set a fire in my soul.
He was the horse that moved all across the country with me. Because if I couldn’t bring Leo I wasn’t going (really, that was the requirement).
He was the horse that brought me to Patrick. My unconditional love for Leo, ended up being what he loved about me when we first met.
He was the horse I dove into each new discipline and learning opportunity with. From dressage, to reining, to bridleless he came to each session with the patience and willingness of a saint.
Most recently, he was the horse that showed both Patrick and I what’s truly possible with liberty and bridleless. And devastatingly, we had just gotten started.
He was the horse we trusted more than anything when we needed to teach a liberty lesson or go for a ride with a family member. Taking care of each and every person he worked with.
But most importantly, he was the horse I would walk out to the pasture to see, simply because his sweet soul brought me so much joy. Being around him made every day better.
Leo, it was an absolute privilege, honor, and one of the greatest joys of my life to be your person. I would do anything to have more time with you, but ultimately, if I had known our time would be cut tragically short, it wouldn’t have stopped me from loving you with my whole heart for the time we did have together.
I’ll see you again someday, handsome, and what a wonderful day that will be. ❤️