Behind the Gate

those closely associated with his horses. Two of his horses, C.L.'5 Gracious Lady and Howmac Graduate, a three—year-old gelding, were enjoying their freedom and the green grass in one of his enclosed fields in Stratford. They had rollicked in this field many times in the past. Howmac Graduate 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 Terry Affleck Stable, this big fellow was so good natured with such a person- ality that he became a favorite of those closely associated with him.

Unfortunately, Hou'mac Graduate was one of the horses that seemed to be fol— lowed by bad luck. Around noon of that date, I was within three metres of these two horses talking to them as they enjoyed themselves in the field. Six hours later, Howmac Graduate became entangled in the wire fence and suffered veiy severe injuries. Somehow the mare

was able to lead him to the shed where he was examined very closely by his trainer and a veterinarian. It was decid- ed then and there that the humane thing had to be done and Houwzac Graduate was put down.

It was a very sad day for the owner and his family; it was a very sad day for the two people who worked daily with Howmac Graduate and were the closest to him; it was a sad day for the veteri— narian; it was an extremely sad day for me. We will never comprehend why tragic accidents occur but they are, unfor- tunately, inevitable. Every person involved 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 perspective for me that day when he explained, "Whenever and wherever you have live stock, inevitably, you will have dead stock." This axiom is sad but true.

Aarons Kin, (EL's (,ii‘acious Lady, Noah Pittman, Zorro (the dog) and Paul Murphy at Collins Wood farm.