Blog 77

Louis and Jenny Averbeck milk 160 cows near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The Averbecks began making A2 cheese in 2020 after Jenny discovered she had a sensitivity to dairy products. PHOTO BY STACEY SMART

Loyal. The first word that comes to mind to describe my horse of 27 years.

I remember the day I picked him up. He was 8 months old, had never been on a trailer, had very little handling and made the two-and-a-half-hour ride home without a blink of an eye.

There was something in his eyes that spoke to me, a sense of quietness. I was 14 years old, and I didn’t know it at the time, but that horse and I would become the best of friends. He had the most character and personality I have ever seen a horse have. We learned so much together over the years and explored so many trails, woods and paths. So many wonderful memories, stories and experiences I will forever hold on to. I trusted that horse and knew him inside and out. He is what they call a heart horse — the once-in-a-lifetime kind. 

Today, I had to say goodbye. There’s no way to prepare for it or ease the pain. But I had to put aside my selfishness and listen to him. He was tired and in pain, and after all the times he took care of me, I had to do the same for him. So, today, there is a hole in my heart, an emptiness in my spirit, and it will take some time to heal — but I wouldn’t change a thing for getting to spend the last 27 years with the very best horse and best friend.