～A beloved horse at Ponynosato, Don, has passed away～

special edition

～A beloved horse at Ponynosato, Don, has passed away～

in Japanese（日本語version)　click

Don has passed at 2:30pm on January 12th 2019. He was 29 .

Syubei contacted me saying “Don has fallen. He probably won’t make it...” Within an hour and a half, I found myself at Ponynosato.

Inside a tent put up on the riding ground was Don lying down.

I was asking around about the situation believing he was still alive just to find out a vet had put him to sleep a little ago.

Don was on the ground as if he had been just resting. I placed both my hands on his chest.

I could still feel his warmth on my palms.

It made it hard to come to terms with his death and urged me to shake him.

Closing my eyes, so many memories came back alive.

A long time ago, I was working under Mr. Akemi for about 5 years.

Along with Don, we were surrounded by many visitors.

I was blessed not only with the people there, but also with the horses.

We did tricks like throwing a ball or quoits from Don’s horseback. Sometimes his rein was pulled hard and we rode him bareback, too. We have done tricks that are even grander. But Don never flinched. He was always calm.

Don helped and assisted riders very well through nonverbal means.

All the children Don had worked with must be full-grown adults now.

All the volunteers who supported Don must be in their mid-lives now.

I would like each of you to remember a memorable page from Don’s life.

As for me, I have quite a few…

Don, you have lived to the fullest. Rest in peace.:;(∩´﹏`∩);:

---

 👇 Photograph collection