Big Easy In Greener Pastures 

"Round-hoof'd, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long,
Broad breast, full eye, small head and nostril wide,
High crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong,
Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide;
Look, what a horse should have he did not lack,
Save a proud rider on so proud a back."
-William Shakespeare

 5/9/08 Sad news for us as sweet old Big Easy was peacefully euthanised this morning. Over the past few months, Easy was really showing his age. He still loved his friend Timber and he enjoyed a wonderful horse life in the Big Vacation Village pasture, grazing on hay all day, laying in the deep warm sand, lounging in the Mesquite trees. This morning, Easy laid down and just did not want to get up anymore. He was just tired and ready to move on. We tried to will him to get stronger, but he was ready and eventually, we knew he had made the decision. We called our vet and he was quietly put to sleep in his pasture, surrounded by his friends. Easy is buried at Shiloh.

While we were working on him, Timber stood very close, nickering at times at Easy. He would not allow any other horses to come too close to Easy and even kept a very wary eye on us. His presence comforted Easy, and after Easy had passed on, Timber stood close to his body. We are not the only ones who will miss our friend.

Easy was an incredible horse, he was a Gran Prix level Dressage horse who, in his younger days, had represented the United States in the Pan-American Games. It was an honor for us to allow him to live out his senior years at Shiloh. Easy had a great life, a glorious one. It was easy to see even in his old age the presence that he must have had when he was competing.

Easy had come to live at Shiloh after his owner had suddenly passed away. We like to think that they have been reunited and are off riding on the Greener Pastures together again...

5/3/08 Big Easy and his best pal Timber get some attention during the Sorority Horse Wash

5/3/08 Salsa greets a visitor while Easy and Timber look on.

Big Easy(middle) getting a bath during the Sorority Horse Wash on 5/03/08

Easy out in Big Vacation Village with his best friends by his side.

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3/08 With the warmer weather coming, Easy has been moved back out into the Big Vacation Village pasture with his friend Timber. It's better for him to be able to move around more (his legs stock up at times) and he is happier in his herd. We just want his quality of life to be good for him- he is happiest wandering through the pasture and hanging out in the trees with his friends.

UPDATE: 2/08 Easy is doing well, but is having harder time keeping his weight on in the cold winter months. He is blanketed and we have moved him into the Fear Factor pen (with his best friend Timber) where we can keep a closer eye on him and increase his feed. We will move him back out when it warms up.

Easy's age is really starting to show, he just a sweet old guy with a grizzly face now. But, you can still see how gorgeous he must have been in his youth. of course, he is still gorgeous to us!

Easy is a 17.2 hand 24 year old Hanoverian gelding who was donated to Shiloh. Earlier in his life, in his younger days, he was a Gran Prix Dressage horse who represented the United States in the Pan Am Games. We are very happy that we are able to offer Easy a comfortable and secure place to retire and live out his days and his well earned retirement. He was donated into our Sanctuary by his family after the sudden death of his previous owner.

UPDATE: 8/15/06 Easy is doing wonderfully! He is living in our big pasture with other older horses and is having a wonderful time. His hock sores are completely gone and he now spends his days hanging out, He is such a great horse and we are so happy that he is at Shiloh!