Throwaway  
Something  intended to be discarded. 
One evening I was searching the web for horses for sale and came across this website. As a 57 year old mother of three who is starting to go through that “empty nest” thing, my heart was drawn to the “throwaway” section.. Pictures of the leg trauma which Lori went through and the look on her little face broke my heart. I was immediately drawn to her and somehow ended up contacting Becky about her adoption. All my life I have loved horses, had collected glass, ceramic and plastic molded horses since the 1st grade and had hoped that one day I might actually own one. After meeting Becky at the stables and meeting Lori and her stable-mates, I wanted her but deep inside didn’t know how to ask my husband about getting a horse. Billy was such a sweetheart and I could tell that Lori and she were really attached and my husband didn’t want Lori to be lonely. I feel like a kid again, full of excitement. I truly believe this was a miracle for both Lori and Billy as well as for me and my husband. The Girls : Lori Darlin' the gifted filly and Billie, the AQHA filly . REMEMBER WHEN WE GIVE TO ANOTHER... WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN ALWAYS RETURNS.
IIl giusto ha cura della vita del suo bestiame, ma le viscere degli
              empi sono crudeli.          
Proverbi 12:10
La Nuova Diodati

The day I arrived to my new home, I realized it was going to be difficult. There were 9 other horses all fighting for the small amount of water and hay. I did not have any experience defending myself without mother. This will not be easy. This is not home. This is dirty. This is not a place for me. And I didn't last long.  
On the third day the nasty, horrible , mare ran attacking me. I ran swiftly. She followed and ran me into the fence. I struggled wanting to get away. The mare kicked, and kicked until I was thoroughly wrapped into the sharp wire, that now cut sharply into my leg. I remained tangled for a several days. Mother ? Mother ?  
Humans eventually came to cut me free and did little else. For 5 weeks I have survived with this horrible gash to the bones of my leg. Infection has set in and is running down my leg. Finally I have been separated to myself, maybe to die. But these humans do not know me. Now, they want to sell me.  
A lady came today. She took me to a place called The Nursery Barn. Her name is Gigi.
She brought the Lady VET, and they looked at my leg. It is very serious, I heard them say. I also heard them planning a way to help me.  
The Lady Vet says, I will be here every Monday, we will replace a new castration banding on this proud flesh tumor, and we will cut off the blood supply until it comes off with minimal bleeding.  
It took 6 weeks, 6 bands. Wrapped tightly behind the tumor to cut it off. Soon it was cutting through the nasty flesh. 
 I never wanted out of The Nursery Barn. I had a big bed of hay and I was safe. I could sleep safe. Eat without disturbance. And I drank with a watchful eye. I also learned to be brave. I am waiting to run free, and swift. Someday.
But the pain. It is horrible. Mother said to me.. Don't hold a grudge. It won't help.  
This day the 6.5 lb tumor came off ! The pool of blood was great. The Lady Vet worked quickly to cut with a razor the horrible tumor that has been weighing upon me.
 I don't feel much. I do smell and see the process going on...but the medicine is working. 
I feel weak and tired. My spirit though....is lifted.
I realized that I have no reason to remember the past injury. For all the humans that have been negligent, there are MANY that love. AND they are ALL beautiful !
I have also a friend that has arrived. She is Billie. A sorrel filly. She runs and tries to play with me. I am not ready. I will be one day But she comforts me, so I learn by watching that soon I'll be fine.
A new Beautiful Human came today. I could sense her sadness for me. I heard her heart beat so softly as she learned about me. Then I heard her say..She must have me ! 
My story ... she says... has wrapped around her heart....so for the next few weeks she visited me.
I must say she has also allowed a place in her heart for my Billie. My friend. My comforter. 
We are both leaving this wonderful place of solace. I will miss The Nursery Barn. But, I am ready !

 We have a forever place !
The words of mother ... I can still hear .
Telling me to sleep safe, eat well, drink with a watchful eye, learn to be brave, and to run freely, and swiftly as she ran alongside the fence. 
I am running mother !
FREE and SWIFT !
I am LORI DARLIN'.
THE FILLY GIFT ! 

ADOPTED BY KEVIN & CHRISTI 
THE FILLY GIFT
JUNE-NOVEMBER 2011

I am a palomino paint. My mane and tail are long and flowing, with silver and tan. My name is not yet discovered. I have been born to a beautiful dam, who has great love for me. I have learned from her to be quiet , yet cautious. I have learned to run like a filly should, and play, and suckle. Mother generously gives me rich milk, that nourishes me to grow tall and beautiful. 
But today.....something changed.
Someone is separating me from my beautiful mother and is giving me away.
I am not ready for this adjustment. There are noisy people, and trailers, and many other nasty horses. And wire. That horrible wire mother warned me of.  Humans do not understand horse babies like me... and should NOT take us simply because we are pretty or free.  
My mother imparted to me deeps sounds of caution as I was loaded. Telling me to sleep safe, eat well, drink with a watchful eye, learn to be brave, and to run freely, and swiftly. She whinnied and neighed these departing words, and ran alongside the fence repeating herself as we drove away.
 I could still her as I listened for her voice in the distance until...........Wait...Wait...