06/24/2022
Kirby’s Farewell
Everyone please bare with me as I write this much well deserved amazing send off of one of the great ones! Kirby came to into the barn’s life about 6 years ago, he was given to us by some amazing friends of mine that wanted him to continue to share his knowledge of riding and teach many more young and old how to ride, love and trust. In his pre-barn life, he was from what I hear an amazing show horse, anyone who rode him knew right off that he was very smart and was very forgiving for the unknowing ones. Kirby’s barn life was full of fun and adventures, everyone had their own opinion of what they thought of him and how important he was. But there was one little (and I use that word lightly) girl, Ava Grace, who instantly fell in love with Kirby from her very first lesson 6 years ago. Now Ava Grace knew he was the barn’s horse and for everyone to get lessons on she still always had a special place in her heart for him. Now jump ahead 2 years, Ava was at point in her riding ability to move up to a more experience horse, there was an opportunity for Ava to get her own horse, she had 2 options, a younger, faster, stronger horse, or the old, reliable, grumpy, one. Well for anyone who knows, knows she picked old grump KIRBY! Ava was so happy; she finally had her very own HEART HORSE. Her and Kirby had great times, he definitely was a pal and great confidence building for her, they enjoyed trail rides, swims in the pond, grooming, and many many Tik Tok’s, LOL. Not only did Kirby teach Ava how to become a better horseman, but he also taught her how to be a teacher, and how to share her life’s enjoyments with others. Going on with Kirby’s barn family, Ava shared him with kids & adults with mental & physical disabilities to our military & first responders with PTSD, Kirby has met and touched so many people in his life. He truly will be missed and like all the great ones, will never be replaced!
Horses teach us, to lift up each other, they give us confidence and help us achieve our dreams! They become our best friend. They give us their hearts and in turn, we give them ours! In fact, the only bad part of owning and loving horses is when we have to say good-bye to them. However as true and good Horsemen, God gave us the commandment and put us in charge of their life and care, and to make that final un-selfish act of “letting go.” He told us to not think in these terms of letting go, but rather in the turn of giving that final gift of ease and comfort to a soul that is burdened by the confines of a body that no long can work like He has created him to be. As I sum up this final farewell, please feel free to drop your own pictures and memories of Kirby and encouraging words for Ava, I have added a poem below that is for us true Horsemen that God as called to be the overseer’s of one of most beloved creatures.
Don’t cry for the Horse, that life has been set free a million white horses forever to be. Don’t cry for the Horse, now in God’s hands, as they dance, and they prance. To a Heavenly Band they were our to borrow, but never to keep, as they close their eyes forever to sleep spirits unbound. On silver wings they fly, a million white horses against the blue sky. Look up into Heaven you’ll see them above. The horse we lost, the horse we loved, their mane and tail flowing. They gallop through time, they we never yours they were never mine. Don’t cry for the Horse, they will be back someday, when our time comes, they will show us the way. If your quite enough your hear that sweet nicker close to your ear, telling you they know you loved them and they are waiting at Heaven’s Gates for you.- Brenda Riley-Seymore.
