'Never The Same'

Oliver stood there, his shimmery black coat glinting in the moonlight. He was amazing, every part of him was so sleek, so beautiful. His intelligent head turned to face me.
I couldn't believe it. His eyes shone with trust and friendliness and all I could do was stand, gaping in amazement.
"I'll never get over this!" I can remember myself saying, my eyes glistening with tears. "How can I ever repay you?" My parents had just given me the best gift in the world and I just did not know what to do.
Oliver and I galloped over hills, jumped to our hearts content, laughed at each other and I can even remember teaching Oliver some wonderful tricks.
But now the saddest thing has happened. Oliver has gone. Dead. A real schoolmaster, I had only had him for a very short time.
Oliver died of a chronic foot condition, so bad the vet's only option was to put poor Ollie to sleep. It was hard to let Oliver go, but it had to be done.
Thinking back to when I first got him brings a tear to my eye. I am sure that anyone else who reads this will admit it makes them sad, too.
No horse will ever be the same as Oliver, but there is such thing as a horse like him.
Tom, a 14.2hh piebald gelding reminds me so much of him, I can see Oliver's cheeky eyes and friendly features every time I look at Tom.
So, when a horse you know very well dies, there is always another animal like that horse but never the same.

Hosted by www.HorseData.co.uk. The web's equine information service.