TRINKS by Hambledon Venture is a pure bred arab mare, is to date the best horse ive ever had, one of those one in a million horses, she had always been ridden in english tack, but i found that she went better in a soft bitless halter, and a stock saddle, she was the perfect partner, i say was, because she was retired in 2003 at the age of 22 because she had colapsed and was unsafe to use for work, as it happened someone in the village needed company for thier pony so she went down there on holiday.
The one thing that i did promise her for all her hard work was that she wont be allowed to go thin or really stiff in her old age, and she wont be going to the hunt kennels as i owe her so much, she will come back here whatever happens to rest in peace, there is a special place waiting for her, it is always a difficult thing having to forward plan your horses future when they get old, but it has to be done.
She was very good when being trained to carry things apart from me, i used to be able to put store lambs up in front of me, on her shoulders, and Gilly the cattle dog was probably the worst passenger, whilst riding between farms i used to have to pass a couple of sheepdogs belonging to nieghbours, and they used to try and attack Gilly if she was with me, so the only way around this was to put her up behind me and she was then out of reach,
both Gilly and Trinks got really used to this arrangment that we could trot between one farm and another without any confrontations, and Gilly used to have to stand up to balance herself, she was really a very well balanced passenger.
Trinks also tollerated the Bullwhip i used when gathering, one crack of that when we were on the slopes and it used to echo like a gunshot, the sheep would know to get going, one good thing about Trinks though, was her speed, she was extremely fast, which was fortunate as one day when we were putting the sheep through the gateway, i hadnt realised that Andrew was behind me, and i cought him across the ear with the end of the bull whip, im still not sure what it was that that he said that day, i was too far away, but im sure it wasnt "oh deary me that hurt",
better than any central heating though, his ear was red for a couple of hours.
From a little horse that just wanted to gallop everywhere when she arrived, to riding her in only a bit of string, we did a fair bit like this to build up a good relationship, until she was a pleasure to work with tack-less.
Unfortunatly due to a rapid decline in Trink,s health, she was regretably put to sleep here on the farm.
I knew this day would come sooner rather than later, and i cant tell you how guilty i felt when i had to make that call to the vet,
It is never easy making that kind of decision, she was a brilliant companion and we worked together so much, i felt like i was betraying her, and i had to do what was right for her, and i didnt want to see her suffering.
For those of you who are as soft as me, you will know that it does not matter whether it is a person or an animal, a relationship is unique, and the loss just as profound...
A TRIBUTE TO TRINKS
(1981-2005)
I REMEMBER
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I remember thet way you used to gallop to the gate with your head held high, and your tail over your back, when you heard the bike starting and you knew you were needed for a days work.
I remember the way you used to try and out run anything that came along side you, including the bike, your ears flat back on your neck, if anyone should dare to try and get in front of you, and as soon as you were an inch in front, your ears would flick forward triumphantly.
I remember the times when we had to get back home up the very steep hills, and how i used to get off to give you a rest and walk up in front of you and if i got too slow for you, you used to give me a impatient push to speed me up.
I remember how we worked as one, whenever i thought right or left, you were there, no prompting, a pleasure to work with.
I remember how you used to be able to move a cow at a gallop, by just dropping your shoulder and pushing them the right way, no cow would ever outrun you, or get past you.
I remember how you used to stay in slow mode when the kids wanted to ride you, you always looked after them.
I remember, wondering what it would be like when you were,nt here anymore, well, we are here now,,,
I hope i find a horse as good as you so i can always REMEMBER...
May you roam these fields for ever.
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