Hello World! (Pictured Above, Me, my pony Cherokee, my daughter Arabella, and my husband Josh-2012)
My parents bought me my first pony when I was only 8 years old. Her name was Cherokee Wind, and she also was 8 years old. She was a Shetland pony with a dark brown coloring and lighter colored mane and tail. She was so beautiful, and I was so excited to have her in my life.
She wasn’t trained by any means, and no one could get near her. That changed pretty rapidly once she realized we could be trusted. I wasn’t trained to ride, nor was she, but guess what? I hopped on her anyway at only eight years old and was determined to ride her.
By the time I turned 16, Cherokee and I both knew how to ride, how to pull a cart, and her and I won reserve championship for our halter class at the fair! She was feisty, determined as I was, and fast! She always wanted to go go go!
She meant the world to me, so much so, that I ignored phone calls from boys! No way was I going to stop riding my pony to take a phone call from a boy!?!
As the years passed and I went to college, I still came home and rode her occasionally. She was always up for a ride, and always willing to give me 1000 percent effort! Our personalities matched to a capital T!
My life continued on, I got married, had children…and there was Cherokee. Still the same, still feisty and determined as ever, and still a spitfire; as my friend Tammy would say. My girls rode Cherokee too! I took my girls for rides in the pony cart and she pulled like a champ!
The years kept flying by, and today, March 13th, 2021, we lost her. She had lost many of her teeth some years ago, which happens to horses as they age, and she had a hard time chewing her food. My mom, her primary caretaker, bless her heart, fed her 3 times a day, with softened grain to keep her alive. She couldn’t eat grass or hay. She would choke. The vet wouldn’t even sedate her for anything because they knew her heart wouldn’t be able to take it. She lived through every polar vortex and a couple choking episodes, however, this choking episode she couldn’t shake. The vet was able to get the food down her throat, but her heart couldn’t take it.
She lived to be 40 years old, outliving a ponies life expectancy by 10 years. She was an amazing pony and one that will be with me always…she was truly my heart horse and I loved her dearly. I believe with all my heart, I will see her again in heaven. I will miss you oh so much Miss Cherokee.
Blessings, Love Gina
Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
