Nafayteza   IAHA reg.

May 26, 1976 - October 30, 2003

Teza and I met in 1996, when she was 20 years old and severely malnourished. I brought her home in the spring and was horrified to see her shed her grimy winter coat, because there was no summer coat underneath. Her mane and tail hair was falling out from lack of nutrition, but she had a bright expression and seemed very excited to be out of her bad situation. A year later, no one could believe she was a twenty-one year old. She was bright, responsive, and loving every bit of her life. She went trail riding, learned to drive, and even made it to the show grounds to win a 4-H halter class at twenty-something!

Teza's passing was tragic and unexpected. Only earlier in 2003 did she begin showing her age; she began dropping weight and generally 'drooping' like older people do. She tired quickly when ridden but still enjoyed driving (especially the downhill part!) and trotted around the paddock before mealtimes, eager as always to eat. We started her on a senior feed, which she gobbled up with even more gusto than before. Unfortunately, one morning we found her standing on three legs, the fourth held limply and resting on its toe with a nasty wound on her shoulder. As close as we could guess, she was spooked into slamming into the side of the barn, and broke her humorus in her shoulder.  The vet told us even young horses that break that bone have a very guarded prognosis. The choice was clear, though there was no real choice to be made.

Teza was the dearest and sweetest horse I've ever known. I told that to people even when she was still with us. She loved people, and she loved life. She was as vibrant as every other day throughout the many years I knew her. She would eat anything offered to her, and she liked cayenne pepper. She had no respect for personal space an she never was mean in her entire life. She loved everyone the same, and was always glad to see you, no matter if you carried a saddle or a lead rope. She was a hot blooded horse, yet remained a perfect pet. She was a beautiful purebred Arabian and showed her breed to its fullest and best.

Teza is sorely missed, but she will never be far away, and never forgotten.

Farewell, my dear friend.