BEHS 249 – Rainey

Rainey came into the rescue on April 1, 2008. She was in horrendous condition--about a 1 on the body scale, covered in rain rot and filth, and with a mouth in condition worse than any our vet/equine dentist said he's ever seen. She would have been 28 years old in 2009. Rainey was a registered American Paint Horse and a registered Pinto. Her registered name was Fine Wine. Rainey also had a very definite sense of humor. About a month ago we started turning her out with a mare and gelding during the day. Her appetite picked up and she would go out in the morning trotting and loping and sometimes bucking and twirling like a yearling. When Rainey passed, it was pouring rain and there was lightning and thunder in the distance from the storm that had passed over. I like to think the thunder was the sound of galloping hooves as the horses who have crossed before her ran to meet her at the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. The backhoe driver moved Rainey to her resting spot with such care and respect. I was so appreciative of his efforts, especially given the weather conditions. It seems appropriate that Rainey (named for the great blues singer Ma Rainey) was buried while it was raining. A forum friend commented with respect to Rainey's passing, "Blessed are those upon whom the rain falls." Indeed, I think Rainey was blessed to have the love and support of the Bluebonnet family and her little herd of friends. We will miss her but we take comfort knowing that the last 8 months of her life were spent with a full belly, in the company of equine friends, and with people who loved her.