Rainbow Bridge

Piper and Roxie

Our equine education began in 2016 with a red sorrel mare named Piper. Piper was a twelve-year-old western pleasure quarter horse used in a lesson program at our neighbor's barn. She had a knack for testing her riders and she gave us a crash course in establishing respect and leadership with a horse! We boarded Piper at the barn for four years and learned from the owner about horsemanship, husbandry, and riding. We took the leap and moved Piper to our property with her buddy Roxie, a beautiful black quarter horse with a white diamond and a kind soul. The girls enjoyed lazy trail rides and grazing in the pastures and lots of attention!! They both had very different personalities which helped us continue to learn and refine our approach with horses. 

Stinky Bee Farm is located in a flood plain. After a very hard rain and storm, the horses were in the back land and didn't come to the main barn for breakfast. Later that day, Roxie came up with an injury to her front left pastern. Our vet came out on an emergency call and delivered devastating news that the injury was beyond what could be repaired. We chose to let her rest under her favorite tree in the north pasture. 

Piper bonded with Moose but over the years her arthritis in her neck and legs bothered her more and more. Our veterinarian put her on daily medication to keep her comfortable and she retired from riding. Occasionally the boys would still hop on her for a very slow walk around the yard. Her years of testing riders had left her and she happily carried the light weight of the kids.  Over time, her arthritis became more than what her pain medicine could  keep up with and her body began to wear down. She developed mild laminitis and had bouts of colic and we saw her quality of life diminishing. Her arthritis in her neck caused an injury that led to partial paralysis which inhibited her ability to eat her special mash of food we mixed for her. Our vet advised us it would be best to allow her rest before she worsened. 

Piper and Roxie will forever hold a special place at Stinky Bee Farm and in our hearts. They were a wonderful pair of horses that gave us education, grace, nuzzles and a joy that was unimaginable. April has said "They were my favorite hello and hardest goodbye."  

Somewhere, somewhere in time's own space, there must be some sweet, pastured space where creeks sing on, and tall trees grow. Some paradise where horses go. For by the love that guides my pen, I know great horses live again.

Stanley Harrison