They say one of the most effective healing balms when one has experienced loss is to be confronted, face to face, with new or young life. Having suffered a deeply personal loss at the beginning of this year, I had difficulty imagining that anything could begin to alleviate that blinding pain. Yet somehow, life breaks through and carries on and you have a choice to lose yourself in what is no longer there or to carry it with you in your heart as you move forward.



This week PHH lost a dear friend and resident horse, Bennie. The news stunned me and the aching loss I felt was immediate. It was literally a few days before that I stroked his long muzzle and praised his gentle and easy manner. He was an off the track Thoroughbred, of which PHH has seen more than a few, and had suffered an injury which left him unable to race. He came to us in his senior years and was gentle and kind. Two of the trainers at Black Raven Stables had begun to work with him and he relished the attention and "job" he now had. Just this week, we were stunned to learn that Bennie had a bad heart - a fact that was even more difficult to digest when considering that the "heart" he displayed was full and larger than could be imagined.

In the wake of Bennie's passing, a light of new life shone through, bringing some joy and healing to hurting hearts. One of Gretchen's mares, Lilly, gave birth to a darling foal - Daisy. The birth was a relatively easy one and mom and baby are doing well. Daisy has already displayed a spunky and curious nature and we look forward to watching her grow and develop. Part of me wonders if a piece of Bennie's spirit and heart was passed along to this little one as he left our presence and she entered. In that way, his legacy will carry on, just as we do...and the mission of People Helping Horses is clearer than ever.