My best friend

Today my best friend died. Keilas Morgan Accent was a 21 year old Morgan horse who guided me through many years of dark depression. She would snort and toss her head at my frustrations, sharing them with me. She loved me and took care of me on many rides. She insisted I scratch her first when going out into the pasture to visit with the herd. She came at my whistle. Other people could whistle the same tune and she would ignore them, but she always came for me. Keila taught me patience and gave me a filly who now stands in the pasture whinnying for her mother. Spy Royal-Tea Accent may be 14 years old, but the two mares were very close. As Keila went blind from Cushings, Royal became her eyes. When Keila was in trouble, Royal would come running up to the house whinnying for me. She would run back and forth until I'd come out and see what was the matter. Royal is the 'Lassie' of horses. Even my dog Molly spent time in the pasture with the horses when I wasn't home. Hopefully Molly and Royal have a bond that will get them through the transition of Keila being gone.

Keila has gone on before me exploring trails that she can share with me when I join her eventually. Now her eyes are opened and the darkness and confusion of this world are behind her. I love you Keila.

  Keila in her younger years. Cushings disease is evident here. Keila didn't shed her winter coat.

 

Keila and Molly

                Keila gave rides to my kids, grandkids and their friends as well as to me. She protected her dogs from strange dogs and was tolerant to puppies. Keila played catch with me in her younger years.  I had a white towel I used to rub her down and would rub her face when I was trying to get her over being head shy. One day I left it on the hitching post and she took the towel in her mouth and flung it at me. I tossed it back to her and from them on it was a game. She overcame the head shyness! This horse traveled from northern Minnesota through Texas out to San Diego, California to keep my daughter company while she was stationed in the Navy there. They rode together on the beach splashing in the Pacific. Then Keila traveled back to Northern Minnesota in the winter time with a quarter horse weanling. Geri thought Keila was a good foster mother and even nursed from her. One time Geri tried to hurt me in the pasture and Keila came thundering from the other side of the barn and tore into that filly teaching her that I was part of the herd and not to be picked on. The other horses protected me also. Keila loved being a mother and tried to foster every foal she saw, whether it was a horse, a full grown pony, or a donkey.

One thing about Keila. She wasn't terribly fond of men until she got to know them.

I eventually sold Keila to my daughter  who gave her to her son, the Busy Bee. The Busy Bee loved clinging to her back and would fuss when we tried to take him off. Keila was the perfect horse for the grandchildren to ride as she got slower with age.

I have a lot of good memories of my friend.