Behind the Gate

those closely associated with his horses. Two of his horses. (,'./.. "s (/mciotls Lat/t and llou‘mz/c (III/(limit). a tlii‘eevyeai:<)lcl gelding. were enjoying their freedom and the green grass in one of his enclosed fields in Stiatford. They had rollicked in this field many times in the past. l/nu'nmc (hm/[mic had raced the night before at the Summerside Raceway in his eighth lifetime start: it was one of his best and most promising. Around the barn in the 'l'erry Aflleck Stable. this big fellow was so good natured with such a person- ality that he became a fayorite of those closely associated with him.

t‘nfortunately. l/ou‘muc (Mic/Hate was one of the horses that seemed to be fol— lowed by bad luck. Around noon of that date. l was within three metres of these two horses talking to them as they enjoyed themselyes in the field. Six hours later. Hou‘umc (INN/Hale became entangled in the wire fence and suffered

yery seyere injuries. Somehow the mare

Collins Wood

was able to lead him to the shed where he was examined yery closely by his trainer and a yeterinarian. It was decid— ed then and there that the humane thing had to be done and Hozrmac (hm/11am was put down.

It was a may sad day for the owner and his family: it was a may sad day for the two people who worked daily with Hori'muc (hm/Hale and were the closest to him; it was a sad day for the \‘eteri— narian; it was an extremely sad day for me. \\"e will neyer comprehend why tragic accidents occur but they are. unfor— tunately. ineyitable. liyery person inyolyed with horses or any type of ani— mal. has his or her own tragic tale to tell. A wise and philosophic farrier put the harsh reality into proper perspectiye for me that day when he explained. “\Vheneyer and \\'liere\'er you haye liye stock. ineyitably. you will haye dead

stock." This axiom is sad but true.

\arons l\'in. (Ii/s tii'acious lady. \‘oah Pittman. '/.orro «the dog)

and Paul Murphy at (jollins \\'ood farm.