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George adopted Tom in November 2009, long before we knew he was coming to us. Tom found him in the C Barn at the Equine Affaire in Springfield, a yearly educational outing that Blue Rider takes. They quietly became friends, with Tom hanging out with him for three days. Tom wanted to bring him home, but George wasn’t up for adoption; he had his forever home after being through some very bad life experiences. We did talk about how a mammoth donkey could be good for therapy and riding, and to keep it in mind for the future.

Six months later, George came to us. His forever home changed due to the debilitating illness of his owner. He came scared, timid, but oh so slowly one foot in front of the other. He was just like picking up a Dr. Seuss book, making no sense and the most sense all at once. Not really fitting together in his body, but not needing to be any other way. He had gone through so much suffering, in all phases of his being, and still stood tall and centered. 

We learned much through him. The biggest thing was that if we held on to our expectations, we would get nowhere. He was not here to earn Blue Rider money, or even to pay for his keep. Every step of the way was an adventure. George frightened easily, but his huge heart let him overcome these obstacles, as long as we loved him and stayed with him. The world was terrifying, and rightly so, with his background. He took challenges seriously, with much thought. Therapy donkey, yes! Riding donkey, only on his terms. Trail ride, so much fun until we turned to go home. Vaulting, sure. He had one goal and one goal only, as told to our animal communicator: to be the ambassador of love for Blue Rider. And this he did with a passion. Greeting people at the gate. Following people until they leaned into him for a hug. Getting people to hold his big head up for him so he could snuggle. Every child felt safe with him in camp. People congregated around him. He loved to stand with anyone, but if he was standing shielding a person between him and the wall, we learned to leave him the space the two beings needed to converse. His big ears are a symbol of his ability to listen. He took three years to find his voice, his foghorn bray thrills us all. His tongue hanging out the right side of his mouth was the way he portrayed happiness until then. He loved the trick he learned with Anna, being a donkey slide for the children. Happiness poured from his body. 

In the last months, George hasn’t been the greeter as much. He doesn’t move around much. His feet pain him constantly, getting up and down is difficult, but staying on his feet is unbearable. We have him on pain medications, but in the past week this isn’t enough relief any more. 

Now George is asking to take his next journey. Our act of love to him is to help him on this journey, with no backward glance. True love means letting go, and he has asked to let go of his earth body. He wants to go with a flower wreath around his neck. So do this for George – pick a flower bouquet (dandelions are fine!), sit and think of your experiences with George, and send him love as he crosses this bridge.

 

What a whirlwind of a week and a half! Oskar has healed magnificently after his kick to the head. He will get his stitched out on Friday, April 17. He has been off pain medication and is happy enough, though grumpy that his human friends aren’t here.

George is doing well with his new medication, even trotting and cantering around at times.

Garuda is home and faring well. His rehab is going very slowly due to time and weather constraints.

All of this is possible because of you, our amazing community. Your generosity helps us keep these horses and donkeys safe and well. Thank you!

Garuda is back home from his time at rehab.  He’s feeling much better – but there is still a lot of work to do.

But for now – we are all happy to have him home.  2 and 4 legged!

 

 

Garuda played long and hard with his friends, before getting onto the trailer to go to Ohana Farm to rehabilitate his aching body. He was a bit skeptical about entering the new barn, but took all challenges like the trooper he is. He loved seeing his reflection in the mirror… or did he think it was a new friend? Stay up to date on Garuda’s progress by following us on Facebook or instagram.

As promised here is the video and song tribute celebrating the many magical days we spent with our dear departed Twist.

 

We ask that you share as much as possible on your social media and hopefully we can reach our funding target. Please copy this link too – thank you! https://www.gofundme.com/f/blue-rider-rainbow-for-twist

Dear Friends,

Many of us have had the honor of working with, getting to know and love the mighty, gentle being that is Twist. He is and will remain a talisman for all of us who love Blue Rider. And now, I am sad to report, Twist has taken his final journey.

Will you join us in funding a Memorial Arch over the animal graveyard in Blue Rider? Here is a link to our GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/blue-rider-rainbow-for-twist

Our board member and long time friend of Twist, Grace Jeffers, wrote this moving tribute.

Twist: In Thanks  by Grace Jeffers

He stood head and shoulders above the rest, literally. He was twice the size of the other horses and he had a heart to match: Gentle giant. Fun. Hard Working. A patient deep listener. Forgiving and loving. …and these are only some of his qualities.   The very first moment I walked into the Blue Rider barn eleven years ago Twist walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with me. After a while I felt that a part of me that had been long holding an unfulfilled wish had suddenly been satisfied. I had a horse friend. It was instant and it is immortal, because love outlasts all things.   As Christine said “It’s as if there was a place for you and we didn’t even know it was empty until you showed up and filled it and now here you are!” And that’s how it is at Blue Rider Stables, you come as you are and there is a place for you.   As a girl it was my only wish to be a rider. When I was eight years old and someone came to interview my third grade class and ask us what we wanted to be when we grew up, the other children answered lawyer, stockbroker, fireman and I bluntly said I wanted to be a horse. I had to repeat myself because the adults just didn’t get it. I rode on and off until I was 13 and my sister got very sick and things changed.   27 years later as I cared for my dying father I made a promise to myself was that I would learn to ride, I would return to horses after he passed. Twist was the foundation of the fulfillment of the dream of this little girl, now in a big girl’s body. Twist was the anchor of my relationship to the horse world. No matter where I roamed I always returned to him. I told him all my secrets and dreams. He was my mountain, the epicenter to which I returned to find my center.   I showed people all over the world pictures of him. I told them the story of how Anna Seagull rescued him when she was the same age I had to give up horses. His commanding presence and power was matched by his gentle loving nature.   Whenever I needed to be strong I thought of being with Twist and how his four pie-pan sized hooves were rooted to the ground. Last winter I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, a scary fast growing kind of cancer. I had to go through many procedures. I told my Doctors each time they gave me anesthesia, “Do you know how to gallop a horse? You grab the mane and go. ” I grabbed Twists mane in my mind and he carried me through and I know that Twist gave me his strength and pulled me through to health.   Knowing this creature profoundly impacted my life. He has long been a rock steady mountain in my inner world. I am a better, stronger and more balanced person and I shall carry all I learned out into the greater world. Twist you will always be in my heart. Thank you.

Thank you and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.