Foxey

This is Foxey - my second love (first was my Granda).

Foxey was the first horse I ever met at the riding school when I went with my mum to find out about riding lessons, he laughed at me lol! He was a lovely boy and looked after me really well. I would love to tell you that it was love at first sight but I was terrified of him. He was only 14hh but to a 5 year old me he was a giant!

When my mum asked what I wanted for my 7th borthday, there was only one answer - Foxey. He wasn't really an option so my mum took me to meet a lovely highland mare. She was a pretty pony but far too advanced a ride for me, but the lady mentioned another pony she was selling.

I remember that birthday so well, my mum saying that Foxey was mine. It seemed too unreal, mine? But he was.

Foxey was a schoolmaster and really knew his stuff but he was an old man. Very old. This also meant he had learned lots of tricks including kicking my bum with a front hoof as I picked out his rear (had to be seen to be believed, balancing on two hooves). He also liked to empty his grooming kit into thistles. Foxey also loved to munch on thistles and he had been doing so when this picture was taken.

I only once was scared by Foxey. We were on a long hack and were on the last leg and within sight of the yard. Foxey suddenly decided he wanted home and bolted, I was thrown at a corner and started laughing the minute the shock passed. He was bombproof but on this one occasion he just wanted home!


Sadly Foxey passed away, only a year after my granda (and also within 50mtrs of each other). The night before I had spent the whole night in tears, panicking about losing my gorgeous boy. I had noticed the light in his eyes had been growing dimmer day by day, he looked tired. I cried and cried and cried. Eventually I fell asleep praying I never had to face the decision to have him put to sleep. The next morning dad came back from work on the farm early and I overheard him telling mum what I already knew in my heart - Foxey was gone. I had no more tears for the wise old man. As timings went it worked out pretty well as Kelpie was due to be sent away for breaking later that week anyway.



So heres to my wise old man, I still think of you every day and I wish there was a way I could tell my younger self to take photos, millions of photos of your beautiful face xxx We'll ride again someday xxx