R a i n b o w B r i d g e
A Tribute to
Our Equine Friends
that are so greatly missed....



Just this side of heaven is a place called

  Rainbow Bridge

When a horse dies that has been especially close to someone here, that horse crosses the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All horses who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The horses are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special to them who has been left behind.

They run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly, he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never again to be parted. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your horse, so long gone from your life; but never absent from your heart. Then...
you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.




All of the horses on the following pages have meant a great deal to us and all the volunteers who touched their lives. While most are horses that we had in California, we felt it appropriate to their mempories to list them here so that you could meet them and help us say goodbye.


Bob


Bob was a twenty year old TB with tons of personality. He was friendly and curious and stood about 17 hands. He was rideable but needed a more experienced rider as he liked to go when excited. He was very sweet and wanted to be someone's buddy. Bob had been diagnosed with a bladder stone, which was not life threatening, and when funding became available the stone was removed. Bob passed away due to complications from the surgery on October 24, 1999. He is greatly missed by all the staff and volunteers.

Pooh


Pooh is another story. This grand gentleman was a quarter horse gelding that had been to World Championships twice (Western Pleasure and Halter)in his long life and was discarded after he got to an age where he could no longer perform. He was starved and lost 300 pounds. A friend rescued him from the owners and contacted us. He literally ate like a horse and had put all of the weight back on. He was blind in one eye, nearly blind in the other and had a funny gait in the rear, but the old guy was still ridable and loved being a horse. He was flabby from non-work but when in shape would have made a wonderful child's first horse. He knew everything about western pleasure and halter since that's what he competed in. He liked a little hay but loved moistened pellets and senior feed. He got very vocal at the sight of a bucket. He loved other horses and was always a gentleman. He was usually the one getting picked on. Pooh was older than dirt. Because of his advanced age, Pooh eventually went totally blind. He still got around and had become the mentor to little April. On June 22,2000, old age caught up with Pooh and he was laid to rest with his friends in attendance. Another friend has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.


Trooper


On a sad note, we announce the passing of Trooper on February 16, 1999. Troop was a 32 year old Tennessee Walker Stallion who was severely starved, nearly to death, four years prior to his passing. He was liberated from his cruel master by some caring individuals and a year later he was placed in our care. In December of 1997, he developed some lumps in his side and the vet was called. Troop was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and an aggressive program was started with steroids to try and combat the cancer. He showed some signs of improvement but his age and frail health were against him. He was having a hard time breathing and we took him off pain medication. On Tuesday, Feb.16, he got stuck under the bottom bar of his corral and, with the help of the fire department, we were able to free him but; he was very weak and so the decision to free him from his suffering was made. He was a gallant and gentle old man and it was our pleasure to know him for three years. The vet, Charlie Liskey, was so touched that he helped Troop cross the Rainbow Bridge at no charge.


Cinnamon

It is our sad duty to annouce that our friend, Cinnamon, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was laid to rest Thursday September 9, 1999 in Oakview, California. Cinnamon arrived at the rescue nearly five years earlier at the age of 28. She was purchased by a friend of ours for her children to ride. During the heavy rains she fell in the mud and was unable to get up. Our friend Susan called the vet and, after diagnosing her with hip dyplasia, recommended that she be put down. Susan called us, and we took Cinnamon into our care. We gave her complete stall rest for three months and then slowly started exercising her. One thing led to another and soon she was being ridden lightly and for longer periods of time. She healed well and was soon becoming one of the favorites of the volunteers. In her time with us, she taught many volunteers how to ride. During this early part of her life with us she met Molly, an ugly old mare that was once used for handicapped children. At first, Molly and Cinnamon kicked and squealed at each other constantly. This went on for about two weeks until, suddenly, they were the best of friends. Anytime Cinnamon went on a ride without Molly, Molly would become agitated, running back and forth in her stall, yelling for Cinnamon to come back. They soon became known as the LaVerne and Shirley of our little family. Everywhere Cinnamon went, Molly was sure to go. In July of 1997, Cinnamon went on her last ride - and she had fun! Here was this 31 year old mare, galloping after cattle with a twelve year old girl on her back. She must have thought she was a young filly again. She scampered about for four hours before calling it a day. I think it was her best ride ever. She was a little stiff the next day, but she had a smile from ear to ear. In the following several months Cinnamon stared to lay down more and more. She needed help to get up. Not much at first, just someone to give her a little support. She would be fine for a few days or weeks, but she started to need more and more help. We had a chiropractor give her an adjustment in her last spring and that seemed to help for awhile. Then, she slipped under the bottom rail in the arena and slid down a hill, wedging herself against a tree. This happened around 3:00AM and wasn't noticed until the next morning when aa neighbor saw Molly standing and looking down at her. The fire department was called and, under Cindy's direction, she was pulled out of her situation. She was stiff and a little bruised but, otherwise, appeared to be all right. The following week she went down again, and it took the group three hours to get her up. Finally, she went down for the last time. She died with her human friends and Molly with her. A memorial tree was planted in her honor Saturday, September 18th with all of her friends in attendance. We will miss her antics. She was one of a kind. Thank you, Cinnamon for coming into our lives. Please remember us as we will remember you.

Molly


Molly passed away Sunday January 21, 2001 at 5:30 PM. She was the soul of the rescue, and will be missed by all who knew her. She had been with us for six years. She originally came from M.A.R.E. in Bakersfield, a therapeutic riding school, when she was deemed no longer safe for the handicapped riders. Molly immediately bonded with Cinnamon to become the original equine Laverne and Shirley duo. The antics performed by these two were a joy to watch. We lost Cinnamon in 1999. At the ripe old age of 33, Molly has now joined her best buddy on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Goodbye Molly. We will always love you. Thank you for being such a big part of our lives.


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