05/15/2026
Don’t get involved with horses if you aren’t willing to get your heart broken.
We lost Tuli last night to an extremely sudden and aggressive small intestine colic. She had a lovely day yesterday, including the day on pasture, some pampering before getting confo shots (the first two picture is from yesterday), a nice ride, and even a peaceful dinner. By 8:30 she was down. Acting quickly, I got the vet out immediately, and soon after I took her into to hospital.
To say I am devastated is an understatement. Tuli was, on all accounts, a true “red mare.” She was guarded, had extremely strong opinions about many things, and she was always ready, willing and able to express those opinions very clearly. But also like a true red mare, she was the most kind and loving horse I have ever been around once you cracked through those walls.
When I was in the process of starting her- which was both incredibly easy because she simply didn’t care about anything, and incredibly difficult because she was going to be damned if she was going to have someone else tell her what to do- I remember talking with Kim about the process, and her response was “What’s it like riding yourself?” I nearly died laughing… but she wasn’t wrong.
She was Chase’s favorite horse. Yes, even with Cy here. She taught Chase how much you gain by learning to trust and build a proper relationship through respect and understanding. Chase would regularly go down to the barn at night just to give her “butt scritches.”
Tuli was the boldest and most trusting horse that I have ever sat on. And her talent… my God, was she phenomenally gifted. She had all the ingredients to be at the highest levels of the sport. She is, and maybe always will be the one I trust the most, and my favorite to ride, out on an xc course.
Tuli was only six, and what we were able to accomplish by that young age is amazing. I will forever dream about what could have been…
Go hug your horses.