Wednesday Whinnies - Farewell to a Friend

 

#1 here. Today, we would like to bid a fond farewell to our Violette's aunt, Orina du Bourguerin, who galloped off to the Bridge in her sleep the night before last. Here is her story. Orina was born in the Perche, one year after Violette's sire, Navarro du Bourguerin, who was her full brother (same sire and same dam). She produced eight foals during her breeding career in France. One day in 2019, good friends of mine from Scotland came over to France, looking to buy a filly. They saw one at a show and we then went to see her at the farm. They noticed an older mare in the field with her, and the breeder mentioned to me that he had had all the foals he needed out of her and she would soon be "reformed" which, in their parlance, means sent off on the meat truck😢. On hearing this, my friend said "Oh no. That's not happening. She's coming to Scotland instead". So, at the age of 17, Orina and her young relative, Fuschia, crossed the channel and went to Scotland.

Everyone loved Orina and she loved to be loved. You may know that there is no such thing as menopause in horses and they can continue to reproduce all their lives. In the event, Orina became a mum two more times. In 2022, she produced a lovely pure-bred Percheron filly called Clayfaulds Margaret. Then in 2023, she produced another lovely filly, part-bred Clayfaulds Nancy. Orina was a wonderful mum who took great care of her babies. Nancy became very sick just a few days after she was born and her life was in danger for a while, but she watched her over, and "Lucky Nancy" turned the corner and thrived. Sadly, Orina had the same problem that eventually took our beloved Hotesse, worsening arthritis. Her owners who cared for her deeply, watched her closely and knew they would have to make a hard decision soon. In the event, Orina galloped off unaided in her sleep, with her daughter by her side, a dignified lady to the end. 

We are sad that this beautiful girl is gone but so thankful that she was treasured these past few years and able to mother two more babies, as that is what she loved to do most.

Beautiful Orina:

With her filly, Clayfaulds Margaret:

Margaret is now two and belongs to a very nice lady who calls her Freya and sent me this lovely photo of her:

Here is Orina watching over her very poorly Nancy:

Feeling better!

And back outside!

There were no signs of the impending end that evening. Orina got her carrots and her good night cuddles, and in the morning, she had flown away. Run free among the stars, beautiful girl.

Orina du Bourguerin (By Jovial, out of Derina)

21-04-2002 - 15-01-2024