In Memory of Gypsy Moon Dance

6/16/1982-7/31/2006

 I'll lend you for a while
My grandest foal, He said.
For you to love while he's alive
And mourn for when he's dead

It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But will you, til I take him back
Take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief
You'll have treasured memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.

I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
With trust, I have selected you.

Now will you give him your total love?
Not think the labour vain,
Not hate me when I come
To take him back again?

I know you'll give him tenderness
And love will bloom each day
And for the happiness you've known
Forever grateful stay.

But should I come and call for him
Much sooner than you'd planned
You'll brace the bitter grief that comes
And someday you'll understand.

Below is an article I wrote, it was submitted and ran in the Competitor News.

They say that special horses leave hoof prints on your heart.  There’s no doubt that saying is true.  Here it is a couple days after I had to put my Appaloosa mare down and visions of the last afternoon I spent with her keep coming to mind.  I think of her quiet nature, slightly over sized ears, spotted coat and can’t help but get teary. 

Gypsy was 24 years old and she had been with me for 15 years.  I had just carried flags on her for all three performances of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo just two weeks ago.  Although she was getting up there in age she was in great health.  I wasn't expecting to deal with this so soon.

I took Gypsy to CHAPS (Children, Horses & Adults in Partnership) for them to try her out as a Therapy horse last Tuesday.  She was there on trial and if it worked out for everyone involved then helping handicapped children and adults was going to be Gypsy's second career.  I completely trusted their Program Director and I knew she'd be well cared for and I could visit her any time.  I would also get her back when the time came that she needed to be fully retired. 

I was out of town when I got a message from the CHAPS Director on Saturday afternoon saying that Gypsy was colicing.  Knowing how much I cared about Gypsy she was taken to the Vet. right away.  I hurried back to Sheridan and arrived at the Vet. clinic late Saturday night.  Gypsy seemed to perk up when she saw me walk in the barn.  I could tell she was uncomfortable, I couldn't believe this was happening.  She had never coliced once in the 15 years I'd had her!  She was stable enough that night to take home to the horse pasture that I rent.  My boyfriend Craig and I camped out at the horse pasture.  I set an alarm to get up every hour and a half to check on her and administer more drugs to keep her comfortable.  On Sunday she seemed to be doing better but then was noticeably uncomfortable again Sunday evening.  Not wanting to take any chances we loaded her up and took her in to the Vet. again.  This time the Vet. was able to diagnose Gypsy with a tear in her intestine. This diagnosis made sense considering the symptoms she'd been having. The tear was in an area that would be very difficult to reach even by surgery, which I would have not likely elected to do with a horse Gypsy's age anyway.

It was Sunday night that I was hit with the reality that I would have to put Gypsy down.  I gave her drugs for the pain to keep her comfortable.  I took Monday off work and spent the entire afternoon with her at the pasture.  The people that own the property were kind enough to let me bury her there and two different neighbors helped with digging a hole and burying her.  At 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening Gypsy was no longer in pain and laid to rest.   

When I had outgrown my childhood pony my Mom bought Gypsy in 1991 for $200 and had to make payments on her.  Gypsy was already 10 years old but was very green.  It seemed like every problem or fear a horse could have I worked through with her.  Although I continue learning every day I wish I knew then what I know now about horse training and things would have gone much more smoothly in those first years.  For many years Gypsy was my only horse and whatever I decided I wanted to do Gypsy would rise to the occasion.  From showing Hunt Seat to Goat Tying Gypsy was my "everything" horse.  I will always remember the first check I won barrel racing on Gypsy for $50. Some of our other memorable accomplishments include the 1993 4-H Jr. Horsemanship Award, 2001 Wyoming State Winter Fair Queen Contest Horsemanship Award and receiving the 2003 Sheridan Cowgirls 3D Barrel Racing Champion buckle when Gypsy was 21 years old.  But more important than winning buckles, trophies and money was the friendship we shared.  In the past 15 years I have gone through many changes but Gypsy was always there, she had always been a constant in my life.  When I moved to Wyoming with my little truck and 2 horse trailer packed full of everything I owned, she was with me.  She went with me when I moved to Colorado for a short time in 2003 and we've traveled many, many miles together.

Gypsy was so reliable, I could completely trust her.  I really learned to appreciate that characteristic after starting some young horses in the past couple years and not always knowing how they would handle new situations.  Gypsy had her little quirks but I could do anything on her, it was a good feeling to have such a solid horse. 

Craig made the comment after watching me carry flags during the WYO Rodeo that it looked like I was laughing out in the arena.  I responded by saying "I was just smiling because I was having so much fun!"  Gypsy was so anxious to get in the arena that weekend (due to years of running barrels) that I had to use all my strength to hold her back until it was our turn to go.  She was getting up there in age but certainly had alot of life left in her.

Standing only about 14 hands Gypsy was a little horse with a big heart.  I will treasure the years I spent with her, the many things I learned from her and the good times we had.  Gypsy seemed to be pretty well known throughout the Sheridan area and I would like to say thank you to all of our friends that have expressed their heart felt sympathy over the past few days.  Your kindness certainly makes dealing with her death a little easier. 

"Far back, far back in our dark soul,
the horse prances...
The horse, the horse!
They symbol of surging potency
and power of movement, of action..."
~D.H. Lawrence

Gypsy's Stats:

Registered name: Gypsy Moon Dance

Breed: Appaloosa

Sex: mare

Weight: 1,172 lbs

Height: 14.2 hands

Birth Date: June 16, 1982

Birth Place: Knife River, MN

Markings: blanket on rear, star & snip

Color: chocolate/black

Sire: Linda's Freckles

Dam: Little Gal Nada

Purchased: 1992

Gypsy came to me in 1992 when she was ten years old and I was twelve.  She had never had any formal training, so she was green broke.  Needless to say she was a bit of a handful for me!  Gypsy had many problems, primarily due to lack of experience and handling. She had a pushy attitude, always wanting to take over. We had problems with trailer loading and just getting a bit in her mouth.  Gypsy was also very barn sour and spooked at absolutely everything.  After many miles, endless hours, and some help from a neighbor, Gypsy turned out to be a great little horse.  

Gypsy had a lot of get up and go but she was also tolerant when a child or inexperienced person rode her. Gypsy was a registered Appy but her dam was a Quarter Horse and she actually goes back to the well known foundation Quarter Horse sire, Three Bars!  Gypsy was a very versatile horse.  I succeeded showing her in Halter, Western Pleasure, Reining, Western Riding, and even Hunt Seat Equitation and English Pleasure while in 4-H. Gypsy was particularly talented when it comes to doing flying lead changes. So we would especially exceed in reining and western riding. Speed events such as barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying have always been my favorite.  I also always loved to ride her in parades (Appys are definitely attention getters!) and I also enjoyed trail riding. During my Queen career I tried hard to turn Gypsy into a reining horse and we did well enough to earn the horsemanship award on the way to capturing the 2001 Wyoming State Winter Fair Queen title. Gypsy may not have been especially suited to all the different areas I wanted to pursue but she always did her best for me. 

Gypsy had a very sweet, lovable personality, she was a very special horse!  Although she was still full of spunk, Gypsy had been pretty much retired from the rodeo arena for the past couple of years due to developing chronic tendonitis.  I will never forget the stubborn little Appy mare that has taught me so much!

What is an Appaloosa?