12/02/2024
We had to say goodbye to this magnificent horse, our Deo. He made so many, young and old, feel like warriors on his back.
I take no credit for his quiet steady personality. He was the same steady boy for daily lessons, children and adults, showing western and english, Special Olympics, hippotherapy and equine assisted learning.
Deo had empathy, I watched it. I watched him be so careful with the most fragile child or adult, knowing I have felt his power under me with the history of the jumper he was in the past.
Deo was no fool though. He would take the lead on the ground if you didn't, with a steady, stealthy choice of direction until you realized he was herding you. He put up no fight if you got your wits about you and did things properly though.
Deo never failed to keep me humble in my caretaker mode. He never missed a late feeding, a late turn out or a late bringing in with an offended low rumble harumph. I called him the General and Mr. Deo because he kept me on my toes, or at least let me know from his perspective that the minutia in my life that interfered with me staying on schedule at times was never an excuse for tardiness.
So many children and adults got to experience their first time with a horse, many with much trepidation, and end up no longer nervous but confident and connected with Deo. I will never be able to count the smiles or full hearts that pulled out of my driveway after spending time with him mounted and/or unmounted.
I remember a number of times, so it was no coincidence, if a baby or toddler was crying nearby he instantly became very concerned. His ears came forward and his eyes were worried. He would come close and seem to be telling me to help the little human in distress.
There will never be another Deo. I won't even look. I had the privilage of meeting him, working with him, learning from him and caring for him for close to 13 years. Deo regally walked off that trailor so many years ago after a long ride from NY, took in his surroundings and calmy walked off in search of grass to graze. He was unflappable and steady from the first moment I met him to the end of his 30 years. I, like so many, walk away with a full heart. The smile will take awhile to come back.
