So, my updated featured divination is an old shot, and certainly not my best. But there's been enough of a time lapse that I feel I can finally have it there, and control my emotions when I look at it.

That handsome grey face belongs to my first horse Merline, a Thoroughbred gelding, who sadly I had to let go about a month ago. He was 27 or 28 and had lived a wonderful life, and taught many people how to ride. He taught me how to ride.
He was the first horse I jumped on, and the horse who instilled a love of Dressage in me. I used to go out to the barn, when everyone was at an event for the weekend and ride him around the arena in the moonlight. Thats my favorite memory of him, well that and when he stopped in front of a fence and I slid all the way down his neck into the fence.

He had white horse cancer, which hadn't bothered him till right at the end, after a bit of colic, he just seemed like he couldn't get back on his feet. His balance was gone and we didnt want to see him hurt himself. The decision was made, and we put him down. He was such a wonderful old man, and had lived a full life up till just a few days before we put him down.

I will miss him terribly. But I know he's in a better place now, where he doesn't hurt anymore and can gallop through gorgeous green fields.

Merlin, I miss you. But I can imagine how beautiful your wings are. I'll meet you in time baby, and we can run together.

This is in his memory. [link]