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| Raggs taught all of us how important it was to consider regular chiropractic and bodywork as necessary rather than optional in our equine management. This picture was taken in 2003. By this time Raggs riding career was drawing to an end. His coordination problem frustrated him and caused him to buck; nothing serious, although he did unload Kate a couple of times and it made us nervous about trusting him as a school horse. Dr. Sid Erickson provided regular chiropractic treatments for Raggs, even into his retirement. |
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| We made several break throughs in Raggs' body during the winter of 2004-5. Dr. Erickson was able to work deeper in Raggs' neck than ever before. Bad saddles, a double twisted wire snaffle and a standing martingale applied to years of jumping before he came to us had destroyed much of the connective tissue in Raggs' neck. The equine craniosacral work, especially the unwinding techniques, helped Raggs integrate his chiropractic treatments. Here, in April 2005, we all enjoyed a rush of hope that perhaps, with enough body management, Raggs could at least pack Maddie for light trail riding. |
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| The day of Raggs funeral was difficult for all of us. We had a service giving thanks with selected readings and a beautiful song about flying free. I promised him he was going someplace where he wouldn't have to struggle with confusion any longer. We remembered stories of our experiences. Like the time we considered renaming him because we were worried that "Rags" wasn't much to aspire to (his name was Rags to Riches) and he told the animal communicator that he liked his name and if we didn't like it to spell it with two g's and get over it. |
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| This is Raggs with his person, Kate, in Bellevue the summer of 2005. He couldn't mange being ridden but seemed happy enough to us. He lived in a private pen and was turned out on grass with other horses during the day. During my riding camp, he was feeling left out of the picture. He was used to being an invaluable school horse. |
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| Even though Raggs couldn't be ridden much the last two years, his friend, Maddie, helped keep him occupied with clicker training. She also kept him groomed and pampered with the kind of love only a young girl can provide to a horse. |
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| Maddie and Raggs had a mutual admiration for each other. Here, Maddie is teaching Raggs to push the ball. His reward was horse candy and he loved treats. |
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| But our hopes were dashed as his lack of any attention span and obvious confusion made it more and more difficult to be around him safely. Here, he is investigating McCoy, Kate's Labrador retriever who is cooling off in the water trough. This was a moment of enjoyment for everyone present except McCoy who promptly left the scene. After moving Raggs to my house, I became acutely aware that his condition was worse than any of us wanted to acknowledge. |
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| Finally, it came time for our last goodbyes and thank yous. He held a special place in Kate's riding experience by teaching her to connect and stay centered as no other horse likely could have done. He taught me about energy work and the damage that traditionally accepted training methods do over the long term to horses everywhere. We will all miss him and hold him fondly in our hearts forever. |
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