Story 50

I first met Cassie 2 years ago. She was a 6 year old grey mare with a little grey colt at foot. She belonged to my riding instucter, Debbie.

When her foal was weaned, she was placed back into school work. My friend Donna was the first to ride her, and I reember saying 'Ugh, that's a fast pony!'.

A week later I was assigned Cassie, and was dead scared. I went to her stable, and discovered she was a nice, gentle mare. I remember her synthetic saddle was comfy, and that she was very high up compared to the 12.0hh ponies I had been riding.

I found her very sensitive, and easy to ride. Cantering had never been so easy, and her trot was extremly comfertable. Work without stirrups at the trot was amazing, I had never felt so secure.

I began to ride Cassie as often as I could. Debbie introduced us to Cantering without stirrups, and I remember feeling safe and in control whilst on Cassie. I had many, many enjoyable rides, and Cassie was a perfect pony. The only thing wrong with her was she hated cars. But that didnt matter.

About 3 months later, we had a lesson in teh outdoor school. I was riding Cassie, the wonderful mare I loved the most, and we werejumping small cross poles. Then Debbie asked us to jump a 2 ft vertical. Cassie bolted over it, and I was a little scared. We tried again, and we bolted over it again, but this time Cassie bucked and reared afterwards, sending me flying. I very nearly broke my collarbone.Little did I know, that would be my last ride on Cassie.

3 weeks later, when I was ready to ride again, I went up the stables. I was surprised to find I was not riding Cassie, but a bey gelding called Taz. After my lesson I went down to visit Cassie, like I always did. She wasn't in her normal stable, but on her own down by the muck-heap. I saw her rugged up, and laying down. Usually, she would be rugless, and standing, ready to greet me.

I went home, and the next few lessons she was the same; once she wouldn't even take a carrott I offered her.

Then half term came and I went fro a hack with Debbie and Emily. Halfway through, Emily said to Debbie 'How's Cassie? Is she better yet?' Debbie replied with a aisgh 'I guess I'd better tell you about Cassie now.... She was put to sleep bout 5 minutes before you arrived'.

I was GOBSMACKED. Cassie? Dead? I cried for the rest of the ride, and when it had finished, instead of running straight home, I went and cried in Cassie's stable. Her life had been cut short, and my last ride on her had been a terrible one.

Even now, I miss her like crazy. It saddens me to think of her, and I memorate her death by having a hour of silence. She is greatly missed up the stables, and a small slice of my life has been taken away. Here is the poem dedicated to Cassie.

Oh, how I miss you. I hope you re happy in horsey heaven. The stables aren't the same without you. Why did your time come so soon?

I hope, someone, somewhere, will read this, soemone who knows, or knew, a wondeful pony like Cassie. Even better, someone who knew Cassie herself.