TOWACO

Misty couldn’t live forever, but it was such a sad day when I lost that horse. People think horses are tough and hardy, and in many ways they are. But they’re also fragile. Their leg bones are slender for the weight they carry. And their stomachs are designed in such a way that they can’t throw up. People, dogs, cats, and most animals can vomit, a skill that comes in handy if something bad is swallowed. But horses can’t get rid of poison or toxic materials once swallowed. That’s what happened to Misty. Builders working around our barn left pipe insulation on the ground, and Misty ate some while I was at school. It was quick, final, and it took me a long time to get over the loss.

And yet, this kind, sweet Appaloosa and I found each other. Towaco at two years old did everything I asked him to do. He never got spooked or shied at anything. He was fun to ride bareback in the pasture, on trails, on back roads, everywhere. His ground manners couldn’t have been better. He liked to put his lovely head over my shoulder for a big neck hug. When I blew into his nostrils, he always blew back, honoring me with his horse greeting. Towaco was my companion through high school and college–until I left Missouri for Texas and my first real job. Then I had to admit it wasn’t fair to leave that wonderful horse without a rider, and it wasn’t fair to leave my parents with the feeding and cleaning duties. But Towaco still holds a place in my heart, and I’m a big Appy lover. Towaco is an ongoing horse character in one of my horse series. Can anybody remember which series and who owns Towaco?