Kirby (1998-2020)
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:58 pm
Yesterday morning I said goodbye to Kirby. aka "the Kirbster" and Shocked By The Mist (AQHA). I made the decision after realizing the increasing extent of his issues related to Cushing's and aging. He went quietly after grazing in the bright morning sun. Thank you Dr. John, Sarah and Carla from Rideau-St. Lawrence Vets for all of your loving care over the years.
Kirby has been a huge part of my life for the past 20 years. I bought him as a 2 year old from McBride Quarter Horses near Almonte. He was barely started with only 10 rides before I tried him out. He wobbled about finding his balance with me on board. He also didn't understand half of what I was asking, but he tried so hard to understand. It was that try, his bright-eyed inquisitive personality and his athleticism that had me sold. I brought him home July 1, 2000.
Over the years we had our share of ups and downs. Partial tears in hind suspensory ligaments, surgery to remove a bone chip in his fetlock, chronic pain after the surgery and finally Cushing's were the downs. Kirby was also there for me when my husband Harry succumbed to cancer after 3 years of treatments. The ups were the days when we were able to get out and enjoy a relaxing trail ride, when we learned a new dressage movement and he would puff himself up with pride, and just spending quiet time together at the barn. It was so funny when the animal communicator said that he knew a lot of swear words. He must have learned them from the other horses LOL.
Through Kirby I learned about equine bodywork and Bowen Therapy in particular. Bowen Therapy was what gave him relief from chronic pain he had after his surgery. I will always be grateful to Linda Cho who gave me my sweet pony back through her use of Bowen. Since that time he has been my prime guinea pig for learning equine Bowen as well as other modalities to help other horses. Also, I have gone on to become a certified Bowen Therapy practitioner for people which is opening up a whole new chapter in my life.
The last few years have been spent trail riding only since Kirby physically couldn't do ringwork any more. All of the moves were still there including his party piece shoulder-in to renver and back. I will always have thoughts of what might have been in our dressage career. With Liz Steacie's guidance, we got up to a solid 3rd level before his legs said no more. He had found his big boy trot by coiling and fully engaging his Quarter Horse butt, which makes you thankful for dressage saddles with a high cantle. Flying changes, halfpass and pirouettes were all there. He even offered passage and piaffe. Gotta love a supple, athletic horse with a willing mind. I don't know if I will ever find another like him.
Rest easy, Ponyboy. I know you are safe with Harry, Sparky and Georgia.
Robyn
Kirby has been a huge part of my life for the past 20 years. I bought him as a 2 year old from McBride Quarter Horses near Almonte. He was barely started with only 10 rides before I tried him out. He wobbled about finding his balance with me on board. He also didn't understand half of what I was asking, but he tried so hard to understand. It was that try, his bright-eyed inquisitive personality and his athleticism that had me sold. I brought him home July 1, 2000.
Over the years we had our share of ups and downs. Partial tears in hind suspensory ligaments, surgery to remove a bone chip in his fetlock, chronic pain after the surgery and finally Cushing's were the downs. Kirby was also there for me when my husband Harry succumbed to cancer after 3 years of treatments. The ups were the days when we were able to get out and enjoy a relaxing trail ride, when we learned a new dressage movement and he would puff himself up with pride, and just spending quiet time together at the barn. It was so funny when the animal communicator said that he knew a lot of swear words. He must have learned them from the other horses LOL.
Through Kirby I learned about equine bodywork and Bowen Therapy in particular. Bowen Therapy was what gave him relief from chronic pain he had after his surgery. I will always be grateful to Linda Cho who gave me my sweet pony back through her use of Bowen. Since that time he has been my prime guinea pig for learning equine Bowen as well as other modalities to help other horses. Also, I have gone on to become a certified Bowen Therapy practitioner for people which is opening up a whole new chapter in my life.
The last few years have been spent trail riding only since Kirby physically couldn't do ringwork any more. All of the moves were still there including his party piece shoulder-in to renver and back. I will always have thoughts of what might have been in our dressage career. With Liz Steacie's guidance, we got up to a solid 3rd level before his legs said no more. He had found his big boy trot by coiling and fully engaging his Quarter Horse butt, which makes you thankful for dressage saddles with a high cantle. Flying changes, halfpass and pirouettes were all there. He even offered passage and piaffe. Gotta love a supple, athletic horse with a willing mind. I don't know if I will ever find another like him.
Rest easy, Ponyboy. I know you are safe with Harry, Sparky and Georgia.
Robyn
