08/26/2026
This is a very, very difficult post for me to make. ๐
On Monday, August 24, we laid Lakota, our farm's namesake, our spirited and incredibly special boy, to rest.
It has been a very sad month here on the farm. Lakota was approximately 32 years old and because he was a rescue, we never truly knew his exact age. For nearly 19 years, I was so blessed and had the extraordinary privilege of loving him and being his keeper. โค๏ธ
Lakota's life did not begin with the love and care he deserved. He endured severe neglect and abuse when he was younger, and sadly, the physical issues that eventually caused his body to fail were connected to those years.
But what happened to him never defined him.
Despite everything he had endured, in spite of it all Lakota was as happy, silly playful boy. He was so beautiful emotionally and mentally as any horse could ever be. He was spirited, intelligent, strong, deeply sensitive, and truly one of a kind. He had a personality that filled the entire farm. There was something about him that was difficult to put into words. You did not simply meet Lakota. You felt him.
Over the years, his body began to carry the weight of his past. We gave him every bit of love and care we possibly could, but we could not undo everything that had been done to him before he came to us. Eventually, loving him meant making the decision I never wanted to make.
Those who know me know that I am not very good at sharing personal things on social media. But this feels different because Lakota did not belong only to me. His presence and his story became part of this place and part of so many people's memories of it.
He was the heart and soul of this farm. Lakota was so incredibly special, and his story so profound. His testament to love and forgiveness to people was what brought us to know he deserved to have the farm named after him.
Laying him to rest has completely destroyed me. Without question, it was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. He was one of the greatest loves of my life, and the truth is, he gave me so much more than I could ever have given him in this lifetime.
We laid Lakota to rest beside Kayla, his longtime companion, both facing east โ honoring the Native American belief that the rising sun awakens the spirit and lights its journey onward. Twelve years he called this farm home. Now, side by side, they'll rise with the sun forever. Lakota was one of the most beautiful and special souls ever to roam this earth. Although his body could no longer carry him, his name, his story, and his spirit will live on here forever.
Your spirit is free now, my love. Run like the Lakota warrior you were born to be. โฅ๏ธ๐
