14/08/2026
It's taken a fair while to post this, as we adjust to our new norm. It was with great sadness that we farewelled 3 of the HHIO herd from earth side. We said goodbye to Gracey 20 years, Mimi 24 years and Pepper 25 years, over the last 3 months.
I had known for a while that Gracey was in a lot of pain with suspected kissing spine. Others had noticed her behaviour also, as she increasingly hung out by herself and a general reluctance to be groomed, loved on and interact. It became apparently obvious when she said she wanted to go BUT she didn't want to go without Mimi. I had suspicions about Mimi also - after her back leg injury, her diagonal knee was taking a hammering and wasn't sound and i worried about her pain levels also. She decided that she wanted to go with Gracey. At this time I had checked in with Pepper and Bobby, who are both aged - as i had concerns about them also. They both said they were fine and wanted to stay.
So the day came and went where we laid Gracey & Mimi to rest. It couldn't have gone any more smoothly or peaceful than making the decision to end a life could. Tears were shed, the herd grieved and it just felt weird without them here.
Pepper like the girl who "didn't want to go to the party she was invited too" quickly changed her mind that she decided she wanted to go now, too. Which was a hard pill to swallow having just said goodbye to Gracey & Mimi. Honestly, i was surprised to begin with that she didn't want to go when Gracey & Mimi went, as they had spent a great deal of time together and Mimi & Pepper were together for many years prior to me. Pepper was particularly attached to Teliti (Cookies foal) - having been her Mum 94 life times prior, so there was a strong familiar attachment at play. She wanted a few weeks more to say her goodbyes, and the herd (at soul level) said they would show her all the love before she went - i look out the window the next day and they are busy trying to eat or kick each other, haha, horses doing what a horse body and mind knows to do.
Pepper had PPID and as the years rolled over, it became harder and harder to manage the disease without it affecting her character. The medication was so hard on her, and could be counteracted with other holistic alternatives but as each year past the threshold got higher and higher to maintain. She too, had shown signs that her happiness levels had decreased as she spent much time hanging out by herself. She also had bad arthritis in both front fetlocks. The dreaded day then came for Pepper to be laid at rest. Unfortunately, i forgot she can be a bit needle shy and wary of vets. Yes we could have worked with her, but the need for a calm peaceful ending was high rather than working through it. It warranted a quick trip into the vets to get sedation gel, that on board and then the rest went smoothly. A huge thanks to Karl of VetPlus Rural. My vet of 20 odd years he has euthanised most of my horses over the years. Always respectful and kind. A huge thank you also to Elke Love, who made sure they all got safely to heaven and who helped me hear what they were saying and wanting.
So, with 3 very loved horses gone from our herd, the after math was hard. The herd was sad. We were sad. As we adjusted to our new norm. From 8 horses at the start of the year down to 4. But such is life - it always has a start and an ending, and part of responsible guardianship of our animals is making the tough calls and more so respecting their wishes, if you are fortunate enough to be able to hear.
I ponder on the many wonderful memories i have had with these 3 special horses, and the larger horse herd i have been so fortunate to experience. The one memory that sticks out the most is these 3 had an interesting dynamic. Pepper would boss Mimi, Mimi would boss Gracey and Gracey would boss Pepper. It made no logical sense. But it always cracked me up, when we had round hay bales, they would circle around it, bossing each other around and around!
Gracey i never really got around to "doing" anything with. Her body posed a few challenges which in hindsight probably was destined not to do anything with her, other than love and look after her. Interestingly i learned before she went, 'she' was actually a male soul and i quote "NEVER wants to be in a girls body again!!" lol
Pepper was a real sweet heart. Anyone could ride her, she was exceptional with kids. She was so kind, dependable and reliable - a true earth horse. She also happened to be my sister in many other lifetimes.
Mimi was my next teacher after my heart horse Mine departed this world a number of years ago. Mimi was a very big older soul (they all were) and very sensitive. She taught me the art of doing less to get more. I am forever grateful for what she taught me. She was a very kind and forgiving horse but didn't suffer fools.
The most interesting thing i found, (and lucky i have grown to have a thicker skin now), is that none of them (including Cindy who hated being a horse) particularly liked being horses as they lacked the autonomy over themselves. Even with the life that they lived with me, where i tried to offer as much freedom of choice as possible, and really looked after their needs, they still didn't enjoy being in a horse body. Sometimes makes you wonder if we should be really doing anything with horses at all :(
RIP Gracey, Mimi and Pepper. It has been an honour being a part of your horse life here on earth and i rest easy knowing that you are safe in heaven and have decided on your next journey and Pepper that you are now happy. Love to you all xx
