My Moon

My moon was in the sky last night, the tiniest crescent of a moon that can be seen each month. It glowed brightly and went down quickly. If I'm not careful, I miss it once in awhile, but not often because the crescent moon has very special significance to me.

On an evening in January of 1981, I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends, a beautiful bay Arabian gelding named Baron. W Baron Gairloch was my first Arabian and he took me on an adventure I will never forget. He did anything I ever asked of him and loved me unconditionally. His trust in me and his bravery and courage made me a better rider and a better person.

His brief but devastating illness at the age of 18 had brought us to this night, the dire diagnosis and the decision that he needed to be set free of his pain and suffering. I had spent the last hours of his life with him and now all that was left was to say goodbye. I touched the softness of his nose and ran my hand up his face to his forelock. He liked it when I tugged lightly on it and I did it for him one last time.

I put both arms around his neck and hugged him closely, breathing in the scent of him. I looked up over his withers to the western sky. Although early, it was very dark. Daylight savings had ended months ago and the crescent moon glittered brightly in the clearness of the night.

I have never cried so hard or so long as I did that night. My vet started the injection that brought him down to the ground, quietly and with a grace that was uniquely Baron's. I turned away as I heard the deep sigh that was his last breath. For hours, I was unconsolable. For days, I was devastated. For months, I was lost.

What came out of that winter evening was a decision that if I ever had a farm, its name would be Baron's Moon Arabians for the crescent moon that lit Baron's way to green, astral pastures. I would never forget my friend and first Arabian horse.

In 1985, I moved to Jupiter Farms where Baron's Moon Arabians became a reality. Since that time, five Arabs have called Baron's Moon their home. BH Bay Flag, a beautiful bay gelding, was the second Arab who came to live with my childhood mount, Rusty, who was 26 years old. In 1987, a beautiful gray Arab mare, Astrolea (Lea for short), came to live with us. She belonged to my high school best friend who let me take care of her and breed her to a stallion I loved very much. I bred her two times to the same stallion, Crimson Zarr, and she produced two beautiful colts, Danzarr Moon, a bay and Merlyn's Moon, a gorgeous chestnut. Crimson Zarr's bay half brother, Gandolf (CC Baron Gandolf), became my distance riding horse while Lea stayed home taking care of the kids. Gandolf was a great uncle and role model for the two youngsters and they grew up as a family unit.

Until Lea had to be euthanized at the age of 37, the family was never separated. Even weaning the colts only meant they left the pasture they had shared with their mother and moved in with Uncle Gandolf. There was never any screaming, calling or anxiety because the boys could see their mom and they were calm and safe.

Now, after all these years, and miles and miles of distance rides, awards, ribbons and championships, the three boys are enjoying semi-retirement. Mostly my riding retirement, because when I do decide to go out on the trail, they are ready and willing, very happy to be doing what they were trained and bred to do.

This family of Arabians made my promise to Baron a reality. My farm, my horses, my friends, they are all part of a legacy that began with the courage and dignity of W Baron Gairloch, my first Arabian and the crescent moon, my enduring symbol of loss and renewal.