I did not write this. Beaner is not one of my horses. Had to share this wonderful story though.

FAVORITE HORSE MOMENT

My best Horse Moment had to do with "Beaner". For those of you who don't know her, she is a 24 yr old Palomino qh that has been a member of our family for 22 years , a 4H horse, show pony, competitive trail mount, lesson horse, driving horse, appeared in 2 commercials, a layot for Victoria Secrets, and she has also had the privilege of being used as part of a child's Make-A-Wish dream twice in her lifetime.

I was called by the Make-A-Wish foundation several years ago because they were looking for a horse that would be suitable for a 16 yr old girl to ride who had Spina Bifada and multiple other physical problems . "Beaner" had been being used as a therapy horse since she was a 3 yr old and was more then suitable and safe.

Several physicians releases had to be procured as this young girl had been under many physical restrictions. She was wheel chair bound, had equipment to help her breathe, and was attached to other life assistance equipment.

Her wish was simple: She wanted to ride a horse. Such a simple dream for any young girl.

She arrived at my home in an ambulance with 2 attendants, her mother, grandmother and a rep from Make-A-Wish. She was gently placed in her wheelchair. A lap tray was attached so that she would be able to have a horse "eat from her hand". This was another part of her wish.

I put a halter and leadline on "Beaner" and led her out to this young girl and all her entourage. "Beaner" did something very uncharacteristic ...she pulled away from me and made a bee-line to the wheel chair. Even though there were no treats on the lap tray, she placed her face and head there and did not move. The young girl hugged her head, burried her nose in "Beaner's" muzzle and started crying. I asked if we could take the tray off so she could get closer. For several minutes this young girl and this sweet little mare nuzzled each other. There were many unintentional pokes to "Beaner's" eyes and uncoordinated muscle spasms caused her to be "slapped" but "Beaner" never moved. The mom was crying and, quite frankly, there was not a dry eye present. The mom asked me how I trained this horse to do what she was doing. I told her it wasn't anything I ever did. She was just fulfulling her daughter's wish.

The young girl was able to "ride" with some special equipment that we use for riders who are paraplegics or have little ability to control their lower limbs. She rode with a huge smile and many tears of pure joy. We all rode with her.

I received a note from her mother less then 2 weeks later. Her daughter had slipped away to the "Rainbow Bridge" and a picture of her hugging "her horse" went with her. (Yup, there are tears remembering... )