All my life I had wanted a horse of my own. I would daydream in school; draw pictures and doodles of horses day after day in my boring classes. This started in elementary school and stayed with me until high school. I went to work at 16 so I could pay for my own lessons since my parents could afford them for me.
Well one lucky summer after I graduated High School I walked into the office at the place I used to take lessons (Hunting Central Park Equestrian Center in Huntington Beach) and I inquired about working there. One thing led to another and I had a job. I was the happiest girl in the world! What made it better is a couple weeks before I was let go (it was a seasonal job) I received a call from a boarder looking for a caretaker for their horse. I jumped at the chance not even knowing what the horse looked like or its temperament. Once I saw Trinket it was all over. She was the most beautiful gray Arabian mare. The horse I had always dreamed about. Despite the melanomas, the horrid knots in her mane and the black ooze in her tail (from the melanomas) I saw the absolute best horse in the whole wide world.
Her owner was not the nicest person I found out and very busy… She did not have time for Trinket and wanted me to get her out a couple times a week. Well I was there every day for that horse to make sure she got out and had the stuff she needed. After the gross neglect she had been left in I felt Trinket deserved it. I got her looking beautiful, healthy, happy and acting like a horse again.
In the short time I was able to care for Trinket she taught me so much and allowed me to find Parelli through a friend. She inspired me to research equine melanomas and find an answer. I wanted to prove the vets wrong! She taught me about the real responsibility of owning a horse (or something real close to it). She allowed me to make mistakes and not take it personally because she knew I was young and learning. Trinket showed me what it was like to be loved by a horse.
This mare suffered from melanomas. In the time I took care of her she had no complications, but her owner got jealous and told me to not care for the horse anymore. I was spending too much time with her… So I had to walk away from Trinket well before I ever thought I would have to. My heart was broken in to shards that I didn’t think would ever heal.
Poor Trinket deserved so much more than what she was given. I am just happy knowing that I was able to show her love for 10 months. I always loved that horse and wished somehow there would be a way that her owner would see the neglect.
I recently just found out this mare had to be put down due to complications from the melanomas. I know she is in a far better place now free from the pain in her feet and the discomfort of the melanomas that took her over once I stopped caring for her. No longer do I have to sob at her stall when I would go and check on her periodically. My heart aches at this news, but I get comfort knowing she is doing so much better where her sweet spirit is.
I will always remember her for the special things she taught me and how much she educated me before my PNH days.
I love you Trinket. You will ALWAYS be my Pretty Girl.
