From the window I saw the horses.
Like waves of fire, they flared forward
and to my eyes filled the whole world,
empty till then. Perfect, ablaze,
they were like ten gods with pure white hoofs,
with manes like a dream of salt.
Their rumps were worlds and oranges.
Their color was honey, amber, fire.
There, in silence, at mid-day,
in that dirty, disordered winter,
those intense horses were the blood
the rhythm, the inciting treasure of life.
I looked. I looked and was reborn:
for there, unknowing, was the fountain,
the dance of gold, heaven
and the fire that lives in beauty.
I have forgotten that dark winter.
I will not forget the light of the horses.
~Pablo Neruda from “Horses”
Haflingers have lived on our farm more than half my life. Like me, most of them are now retired, living a quiet life on pasture most of the year, and warm and dry in the barn during the winter months.
Trillium was one of our first foals born here, over thirty years ago. She had a pure Dutch pedigree with parents both imported from Holland. When she was five, Trillium became the McKee family’s first Haflinger, giving them three colts, and many trail rides over the years. She came back to our farm after fifteen years away, resuming her alpha mare role in our herd and worked part time as a schooling horse for beginning riders. She was a mainstay in our Haflinger display at our local fair, allowing hundreds of children to sit on her back for their first ever encounter with a horse.
She has been fully retired for a number of years as her joints became arthritic; she loved her time out on pasture, even during the last few months as she began losing weight and becoming more frail. The last cold spell was particularly hard on her so I had scheduled the inevitable appointment with the vet for her final goodbye for later this week.
Last night she ate all her hay and passed the usual amount of manure. Yet this morning, when I entered the barn to begin morning chores, I found her down, breathing her last breaths. Clearly something sudden had taken her down – perhaps a stroke or heart attack. Within ten minutes of my arrival, she was gone, just like that. She had decided to leave on her own terms, dying in the very same barn she was born in. How many horses ever have that privilege?
Trillium, like our other Haflingers, belonged on this farm even more than I do: she was born to graze on steep hillsides, to find the tenderest of clover leafs hiding among the bulrushes and thistles. She loved to laze about under the branches, swishing flies.
Most of all, Haflingers are the copper and gold so badly needed in the gray light of a northwest fall and winter. When my eyes and heart feel empty and in need of filling up, I go out into the fields to absorb the riches of their honey amber coats, their deep brown eyes, their stark white mane and tails. Trillium was always a rich and treasured part of the scenery.
Of course, I know the aging Haflingers won’t be here forever, nor will I. Like Trillium, we will someday be dust – no longer glinting of gold nor burning with the fire of life on this earth. But the memory of our light is forever as nothing can extinguish a beauty that is heaven-sent, whether it is horse or human.
You will be sorely missed, Trillium – may heaven’s clover always be sweet in your mouth.
Make a one-time or recurring donation to support daily Barnstorming posts
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is deeply appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Barnstorming 
I love to read your writings….but this made me so sad for your loss…..but it sounds like she did more to enrich your life than any loss…..a true gift from a Haffy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“She had decided to leave on her own terms, dying in the very same barn she was born in”. Praise God for this mercy. What an amazing story.
Emily, I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m also glad you were there with her in those last moments and for the wonderful life you gave her and that she gave you. I think she hung on until you came out there in the morning. God bless you both. Rest in sweet peace, dear Trillium.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ever so beautiful. Achingly so. Thank you, thank you.
Melinda
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this, Emily. Your writing and photography illuminates the most beautiful and poignant moments of life here on earth and gives great comfort and hope to this heart beating on the other side of the country.
I am so grateful for your generosity of spirit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is always the pain of loss; we know it well on a farm. But Trillium was an era, too. A landmark. Gone as we will be, but always around, as we will be… Memories mean so much. Take care, my friend. These are precious days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless, sweet Trillium.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful writing, as always. I’m so sorry for your loss . A lovely tribute.
Sent from my iPhone
<
div dir=”ltr”>
<
blockquote type=”cite”>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your posts are welcome guests to my day. This one… Trillium’s story… touches deeply. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, lovely Trillium! And what a gift that she was able to decide where and when to leave, altho the leaving is sad. She was a beauty and gave much love! Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so very sorry about the loss of your horse. My Trillium be galloping with joy on heavenly pasture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very sorry for your loss. There really is no human that can touch our hearts like our animals. The Lord really did something special there. The reunions in Heaven will be glorious. Thanks for this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your warm story of Haflinger.
So sorry for the loss of your friend. As with our family members we share a bond of love with our animal acquaintances as well. In the way that they affect our lives a love develops. It is a sad strangeness that we never truly understand what love is until we have lost the object of that love.
-Alan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Emily, This post touched me in so many ways. First of all: the title. My first horse (although not a Haflinger) was named “Honey Amber.” Second, our dear Mick chose his own exit timing, if you recall, as did my wonderful Anglo-Trakehner, Page. I don’t remember if I met Trillium, but such a special girl she was. Your post conveyed so well the intertwining of loss and love of this experience. Praying you are comforted.
LikeLiked by 1 person