This past year, 2003 my two Arabian horses crossed over into the spirit world. Over the years, Tanny and Red were seen and known by many who had come here to Mystic Farms.
Full blooded Arabs, Tanny and Red were brother and sister, born of the same mother and father. Their bloodline came from a national park seat champion.
However, and more than anything, Tanny and Red were my friends and teachers. They were also part of my family. In a way, we "grew up" together. I've had them both since they were 3 and 5 years old, and we lived life simply. Tanny, my female, did take a few ribbons when she was young, but for the most part, they were backyard horses.
We spent the time enjoying being together, learning from one other, and riding the trails. I taught them many tricks, though, that even various trainers of other horses as well as my vet were pretty impressed with; I was too, considering I had never owned any horses in life before these two. However, other than that, I really never did the "shows" or show circuit with either of them, even though their blood line was what is was. They crossed over into the spirit world two months apart this past year, at the ages of 25 (Red, the brother) and 27 (Tanny, the sister).
They were a very important, peaceful, and wonderful part of my life's journey. They were also a very important part of Mystic Farms and the "magical" way in which these two behaved. If you blinked, you could swear you saw in them the spirit of unicorns. Both horses were definite teachers when it came to having workshops that I held with them for the people who attended. They were called 'Horse Medicine Workshop'. And each one who attended them with Tanny and Red as teachers, came away with saying how much they had learned from these two wonderful, creature relations.
Coming down the long driveway of Mystic Farms, there you would see down in front of you, waiting at the gate -Tanny and Red, with nickers and whinnies to greet you hello. Over the years, so many people literally touched, and patted them, more than some rode them, many learned from them. At the very least, almost everyone who came to Mystic Farms, commented about them.
When we would have evening sweat lodge, for example, there would Tanny and Red be also, grazing in the moonlight while the sacred campfire was blazing and the peaceful, sacred evening was quiet, spiritually charged and beautiful.
What a sight it was to see these two majestic horses, against a moonlit backdrop peacefully grazing!
Both horses had a real knack for being "people" animals. They enjoyed being around people and not ever had a 'mean' bone in their bodies. They were trained by voice command, and more than once the vet and others would comment how well behaved, gentle, and how communicative they really were. And yet, one could feel the "power" of these animals beneath the saddle seat when riding. When Red (which by the name was a nickname because he was actually all white with tiny, tiny reddish specks) wanted to show off in front of you, he certainly would. He would "puff up", snort and extend his tail high up into the air, so it looked like a trailing flag. His gait would extend and he would appear as if he was floating on air, not the ground.
Red was so smooth and majestic looking when in his gaits and when he wanted to impress you. At other times, he just stood, and looked like who knows what?! When he would clown around, he would just stand there for a moment, with both front feet angled out, and his ears would look like they were pointed sideways out from his head. Then, he would mosey on up to you and then, nudge you with his nose. He was a character! Most people who had horses, or knew about horses would also comment that Tanny and Red were not normal horses, that they were sensitives, as if in this world, but not seemingly of this world.
Tanny was the shorter of the two standing at 14.8 hands tall. She was the really classic looking Arab. You would think she was geared to ride in English saddle the way she looked However, she was a western 'girl' and a barrel racer in her heart. She was a bit more of the "spit fire" when she wanted to be, because she would love to trot, to gallop, to go for adventurous rides on the trails. Yet, for the energy and prancing ways she possessed, she rarely misbehaved!
Tanny also saved me from being injured on more than one occasion. She also had literally protected me from harms way when we rode, and she was my first. I learned about horses, about her and me and how to handle her. She was the experiment and the experience that began it all. Red came two years later. Tanny and I went on so many trail rides together! Over time, we became a real "team" together. I learned much about myself by working with her. I also learned so much more concerning my spirituality, when I rode alone on the trails with her, pondering, reflecting along those trail rides, and just appreciating the Creator for giving us Mother Earth and all her natural beauty!
In northeast Ohio, we have many miles of what is called the Metroparks/Emerald Necklace. There are miles and miles of untouched woodlands/forest. The only places they touch are ones that deal with putting up a shelter house, or picnic area, or cut horse and bike/exercise trails, otherwise, it is absolutely a haven of natural beauty! Many a day was spent with both my horses, riding those trails. I would trade off and ride Tanny then another day, ride Red. Many times, I had friends ride Red and I would ride Tanny so both horses could also be together and I got the chance to have fun with special friends.
Tanny and Red were extremely intelligent, and they learned quickly! So did I when it came to owning two young horses that are Arabs with my being a "green" trainer at the time! But all worked out!! And the three us of grew, over time, and to the point that they were used as "teachers" to humans in those horse medicine workshops.
They were amazing family members who gave me such great peace, loyalty and unconditional love. We each gave each other great respect. They added even more to the "magic" and spirituality here at Mystic Farms. Their strong, yet graceful white bodies, (when they didn't roll in the mud), standing like bookends together against a green pasteur background, with white manes blowing in the wind will always be remembered! That and much more will always be remembered. They are with the Creator now, but at night, a few times, there literally has been heard the soft sounds of horse nickers. And, there are no other horses on this 3 acre parcel. They were the only ones! Also, at the empty barn, one of the horse ties that both Tanny and Red loved to "play with" began moving on its own. And there was a witness to that event as well as the witnessing of the sound of a horse kick against the wall of Red's previous stall!
They visit, they really do. And I thank God everyday for the gift of having had them for so long and for all the joy they gave to me and so many others! I'm happy that they had lived long, peaceful lives with me. It was a great gift!! Still is and always will be, because I know we will meet again!
