by Samantha Mcsharry

Created on: April 20, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

On my dresser, in the left corner, behind a picture of a chestnut horse, there is a vase.

It is not a fancy vase of blown glass and color, or even a polished vase of cermanics. It is a vase of plain tan clay, with black char marks streaking across its ridged surface.

This vase was made for me in honor of my horse April. The black char marks on the vase's surface were made by strands of hair cut from April's tail. The hair was laid across the clay's surface before it was fired in the kiln. It was handmade by a woman in St. Louis, Missouri and was given to me by my trainer, Sharon.

Around the neck of the vase is wrapped a flaxen braid of April's hair. And in this braid are tiny pieces of turquise stones, not polished or cut in any way, just jagged. Jagged, like April.

April was in no way the perfect horse. She bit, kicked, and gave dirty looks. But she was perfect for me in everyway. She taught me how to appreciate the bad as well as the good, to grow up and learn from mistakes. Most importantly she taught what it feels like to love so passionately, and with every fiber of my being, so much that it hurts, and to let go when the time comes.

I didn't want her at first, but my trainer, Sharon, insisted that I at least give her a try, if I didn't like her, fine, but I needed to try.

The first time I caught April in the pasture took twenty minutes, thirteen rocks, and four narrowly missed kicks. Finally I was able to slide the halter up her chrome face and buckle the strap around her ears. I had pulled ahead in this game. Sam-1 April-0.

As I walked her up the field and into the barn, her posture softened, her ears pricked, and her eyes warmed. Slowly she licked her lips and chewed, a sign of thought.

As I brushed her chestnut coat and cleaned her dainty hooves, we began to relax around each othere. Therre was a new level of comfort between us. No threatening looks, sudden movements, or bared teeth.

I stopped brushing her face and slowly ran my hands along her jaw, down her bars to her soft velvet muzzle. She sniffed my hand tentatively and then gently nibbled the soft pad of my palm. At that moment I knew the score was even, she had my love and I had her respect. Tie game.

I rode April as my main horse for nearly three years before I was able to buy her. Finally, I sold my horse, Codi, and put a payment down on April. She was finally mine.

A year after I bought April, I decided to move to Oregon with my grandparents. The plan was for me to move in May and April would be shipped

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>