Remembering Horses lost or Remembering those who loved them Posting information
	Jay Mele, Horse trainer from Keeseville, NY, in true cowboy tradition on April 7th 2011slumped in the saddle and passed away. His steady quiet mare Dutchess  and his “Earth Angel” Cynthia Hackett by his side. Jay had suffered numerous health complaints for several years but persisted in his passion right to the end. Anyone who knew him would tell you that he went out just as he’d have wanted. Basicly his big heart finally gave out. Born, John Dominic Mele Jr. in Bristol, Conneticut on August 22, 1943. Jay was a 1961 graduate of Bristol Central High School.  His senior quote, “A quiet tongue, shows a quiet head” speaks to his evolution toward “Cowboy”. He spent time with horses and cows in Canada, but returned stateside to enlist in the US Army in 1966, where he served a tour of duty in Vietnam.  After returning home, in the early 70’s he proved himself a successful salesman for several years but disliked the trade and returned to his passion for horses. He’d started out with competitive trail riding a sport which he shared with his “baby” sister Janet. This led to training horses in Connecticut. Jay went on to own and operate J-Lin Acres a Paint and Quarter Horse breeding/training farm in Massachusetts. As Paint Horse breeding was still in its infancy in the North East, he was dubbed “Mr. Paint” in trade magazines. Jay was one of the founding members and a past president of the New England Paint Horse Club. Somewhere around this time Jay would meet up with his “Trigger” McQues Gypsie Bar, was a black and white Paint stallion that took Jay to all round success in the show ring. Gypsie had his own following. Jay loved and lost as cowboys will, but his horse was his “Bud” and his constant.  Jay added Horse Show Judge to his credentials and went on tour as a clinician in various places in the North East as well as in England and Ireland. In 1998 August/September issue of Ireland’s Equestrian Life, Jay was their cover story. Jay was also “Horse trainer to the stars”, training horses for films. Eventually memories of a child hood spent in the Adirondacks led the horseman to move his operations to the North Country.   When Gypsie crossed over the rainbow bridge a few years back a part of “Cowboy” died with him. Recently his health became of greater concern and he turned his efforts to passing on his craft. His last months were spent warmly sharing his incites and scaling back. Friends who knew him well said he was the happiest he had ever been. “Cowboy” was predeceased by his mother, Jean P. Mele. He is survived by his son, John D. Mele III of Bellingham, MA; his father, John D. Mele of Bristol, Ct; his brother, James Mele of Whitinsville, MA; his sister, Janet Schooler of West Redding, Ct, his beloved companion, Cynthia Hackett of Saranac NY, and friends all over the world. ARRANGEMENTS:  Jay was a quietly spiritual man and had wanted to do without formal services. He will be cremated leaving his ashes in the care of his “Earth Angel”. He did however think a get together for some of his friends to share their memories of him was an okay idea.  A cowboy type round-up will be planned soon. Keep your ear to the ground too for other spontaneous memorial displays of affection which are sprouting up all over the North East. Friends should contact Cynthia Hackett to offer ideas. Anyone wanting to send flowers, should instead make a donation to the American Cancer Society in his memory.    Cynthia's email
	In April of 2009, A great horse had passed on to ride the skies of wild blue yonder. For many he was known as Pechos Phantom the quarky Quarter Horse with the big white face. But to his firends it was simply Joe. Since he came to the area as a two-year-old he helped trot a little girl around with love. From english to western to even standing around and listening to a concert or two while at fair. Although his ribbons never amounted to much, his love more than made up for it. At a young at of 12 he passed away while out to pasture. He always loved children and tried to be close to them whether they wanted on his back or just to pet him, it always made his day whenever he could get a childs attention. He always tolerated having a rider that went from racing around and having a great time to the next going into the show ring and jogging around in a western pleasure class.  He will be greatly missed and hope there is plenty of afalfa in heaven to make him happy. And hope that he is making a childs dream come true by letting them on his back. Horse and Rider  The prairie wind blows the grasses And whips the horse’s mane. They travel, horse and rider,  Through the sea of amber grain Hills roll by, and clouds pass But steady are the horse’s hooves Upon the wind blown grass As they travel, horse and rider There is no trail that they follow No path that can be seen There they travel, horse and rider Upon the endless blowing green  By: Unknown When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. ~William Shakespeare To me, horses and freedom are synonymous. ~Veryl Goodnight And if a man should see The horse’s magical face, He would tear out his own impotent tongue And give it to the horse. For This magical creature is surely worthy of it. Then we should hear words. Words large as apples. Thick As honey or buttermilk. Words which penetrate like flame And, once with in the soul, like fire i...n some hut, Illuminate its wretched trappings. Words which do not die And which we celebrate in song. -Nikolai Alekseevich Zabolotsky
February 2010	What can you say when you lose a great friend.  That is what Ovation #5 was.  He was an OTTB,  that i rescued.  However,  as many times in life,  I found he rescued or taught me.  He was always happy to see me and was the greatest cuddler in the barn.  He died of colic,  suddenly.  He wasn't very old and just coming into his own greatness.  He was 11 years old.  Everyone loved to watch him run and trot at the stable.  He had such a great floaty trot, his hooves barely touched the ground.  He is greatly missed and will always be loved.  Even the few short years together was the gift of a life time. God Bless Ovation...Happy trails.
January 2010	My condolences to a dear, dear friend of mine in the loss of one of, if not the best horse I have ever known  Brandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge a short time after his 35th birthday. Although his life may not have been stellar by  some people's standards, he made his mark in a lot of peoples lives.  From giving lessons at Jill Kirk's, turning barrells at Tom Blaises, and at a "youthful" 26 years of age penning cattle with the best of them, with alot of trail rides with his human inbetween. Even though his colorful spotted coat was not displayed at the "big shows" he will always be a champion in our eyes.  Farewell to a truly "good boy".
	Thoughts and Prayers are sent out to Jane Noble-Maxwell on the passing of her horse, Sporty’s Darling –(barn name “Hannah”). She will surely be missed by all the kids, people and equine friends of the community. She had taught A LOT of children and grown ups how to ride, show and just be a horse. She was like the “Energizer Bunny” – just kept going and going and did not miss a beat Till we see you at the Rainbow Bridge gate, may you rest in peace Hannah at Daisy Hill Farm with Daisy and Toughy in Vermontville, New York.
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Broker’s Insta Gater March 2002 – January 2008	You will forever be with us in our hearts and souls.  Although your time with us was cut tragically short, you have made a lasting impression on our family and for that, you will never be forgotten.  Thank you for bringing back my passion for horses and for teaching me so much about love in such a short time.  You were our one in a million.  I’ll meet you at the gate Gater, but until then, rest in peace.  We love  and miss you.  Lori & Cailey
Summer, 2007	Hi, I am writing with sad news once again... though perspective is a wonderful thing, and it is less a tragedy and more the end of an era for me.   I euthanized my horse Wise Sky yesterday and buried him on my property.  Sky was 28 years old and had few teeth left.  He was very thin and getting thinner (he hated fly season and just wouldn't eat when the bugs were out) and I couldn't bear to watch him deteriorate any more.  He was acting senile and careless so I was concerned for my children and even my own safety.  He also had many melanoma tumors around his tail base & anus. There are some horses who touch your life in a special way.  When I was showing as a junior, Sky would make every effort to jump well; he seemed to get upset if he made a mistake, and would often cover my riding mistakes by making an extra effort at a jump.  Sky was the perfect partner... an equine partner most riders dream of and may never find.  He and I had a terrific rapport and when working for me in a ring he made every effort to be a gentleman and listen to exactly what I wanted.  I used to say, "I know this horse like the back of my hand."  We just fit together.  Sky had amazing heart.  There is one specific time I remember coming in to a large, green and white Swedish oxer (jump) at an indoor show at Old Salem Farm all wrong... and Sky had to make a tremendous leap to get over it without crashing.  Many horses would have refused to jump at all; not Sky.  In fact, I don't remember him ever refusing to jump something.  Not ever, and that is rare.  Most horses coming into a jump wrong would just duck out and give up. Not Sky.  He always found more to give. He has been the companion to other horses which have phased in and out of my life, including Stitches, Acrobay, and most recently Baby Boo, Love Springs, and Five & Dime (Wooly).   Sky has been a dear friend, steed, and companion for 21 years. He carried me to numerous wins in equitation and hunter jumping classes in the 1980's. He was grand champion high scoring horse at his first and only dressage show in 1993.  He even carried me in a parade once, and on a bareback gallop across the soccer and lacrosse fields at Cornell... and across the "ag quad".  He has been with me through various thicks and thins and has been there for me when it seemed no one else was.  He was there through high school, college, vet school, the first ten years of my career, the birth of my two children, and the death of my husband.  He touched many with his kindness and friendly "please scratch me" ways.  He was there for me through all the relationships and break-ups from my very first boyfriend right up through Olivier's death.  He even taught several of my friends to ride (you know who you are).  Though rather aggressive (he would bite and kick) when I first got him, he mellowed quickly with a teenage girl's steadfast love and became one of the kindest, most trustworthy horses out there.  Playfully, he would grab my hand in his front teeth (not biting down) and shake it gently with his big head, up and down, until recently when I think his few remaining teeth were bothering him. Last but certainly not least, Sky was the patient leadline horse for my children to start their riding careers on.  Lucas loved "Mr. Sky" as he called him, and one of the first things he could say was "Ride... Mr.... Sky" at 15 months old.  Sylvia was not as interested in riding him but was always happy to pet him and grin when he sniffed her, tickling her with his long whiskers. Anyway, if you made it through the novel, please smile in memory of this amazing horse.   For me, it is the end of an era, and a new beginning all at once.  Be well. I am. Love, Kate
April 15, 1985- April 9, 2006	Windward Rhapsody You will surely be missed, you were a great show horse and our best friend Gary, Leslie, Gary II and Sheena Hamilton	Photo
September 2006	Toughy, a loving and faithful horse to Jane Maxwell, and a beloved and loyal friend to Hannah, died following a sudden and brief illness on September 24.2006. He is buried at Daisy Hill Farm where his spirit will remain ever present. He as such a special part of our lives and always be remembered, loved, and missed.
December 2005	In memory of Miss.Patty Pie.  I would like to send my thoughts and prayers out to Carolyn StDenis.  The owner of "Patty."  This was a marvelous horse that could do any thing in her younger and older years.  Patty  was always the type of horse that would do whatever you wanted her to.  She was put to sleep in December of 2005.  She was the best horse and she is one of all the favorites..Best thoughts to Carolyn StDenis.  With LOTS of LOVE Emma Houghton
	I wrote this a couple years ago, shortly after my Arab passed away....grab a tissue & enjoy... "A Fairy Tale...Come True."  Dedicated to the memory of all magnificent horses... My story is about my first horse named 'Sa Afran", also known as "Navajo". In 1985, a stunning gray Arabian walked into my life. I was just turning 9 years old and knew nothing about horses, other than the fact that I just wanted one ...badly. Today, I am 26 years old and now know ...I will never have another friend like him, ever again. Navajo was perfect in every way. He was never Sweepstakes Nominated, or of any 'superb blood lines', he was above all that, he was my best friend. And to me, that counts for more than the world. I would like to share a great part of my life with you ...my own personal Fairy Tale. HERE IS OUR STORY... I woke up on my 9th birthday and was told "get ready we MAY have a surprise for you." After an hour of "are we there yet's" we had finally arrived. As I looked out the car door, I spotted the most gorgeous horse I had ever seen. My mother absolutely fell in love with him at first site. The next thing I knew, papers were being signed and I was told he was mine! I owned a gorgeous 12 year old Arabian!!! All we really knew about Navajo was the fact that he was very afraid of water and that he had once rode in parades 'in front of Fire Trucks'. One more minor detail - the young girl that use to ride him got tired of riding. But one persons loss, is another's gain... Well, to this day, I cannot thank her enough for losing interest. As the years went by, each and every one of my friends came to know him as "My Navi." I was constantly taking pictures of him; showing them off to everyone. I became the girl you came to for a pony ride! He put up with so much for the first few years we were together. He could tell I hardly knew what I was doing, but still had more patience then I'll ever know. It turns out Navajo made for an excellent baby sitter! Aside from him having a heart of gold, Navajo loved to play! We played together for years, running circles around each other in the corrals. He would constantly run up to me and snort with those big Arabian nostrils, tossing his head, asking me to chase him again. This went on for 17 years... I was finally able to drive the long car ride all on my own. Navajo watched me grow from the young little girl I once was, to a woman who now owns her own business. We have more memories together than I can even recall, each and every one of them better than the next... For instance, whenever there was a bar-b-que, he would stand behind my chair like a perfect gentleman and patiently wait for a carrot or potato chip to come his way! When we weren't cooking up hot dogs or riding around at the barn, we'd make an occasional trip to the fairgrounds. When he was around the age of 19 I trailered him to a local western show. We won two red ribbons for Pole bending and Barrel Racing! My Navi loved to gallop with that proud Arabian tail up in the air. One thing I remember about riding when I was younger was my mother always telling me to 'slow down' (and this was one of those days) One of the barns had an old racetrack which we made use of... We took on a Thoroughbred and gave him a run for his money! Wouldn't you know it, we were winning... until Navajo bowed his tendon and we had to stop the race. Needless to say, we got yelled at and weren't allowed to race anymore! That still did not stop us from enjoying every ride. To this day, I am still not sure who enjoyed the ride more, he or I. However, I know this, riding him was like floating on air. Completely push button, my 'comfortable couch' is what I use to call him. Navajo always took great care of me, both in the saddle and on the ground. And I did the same for him. When he was about 24 years old, I found a mass on his sheath. I called the vet only to find out he had Melanoma. I felt as if that was the end of everything. It turned out to be a minor case and did not bother him for years to come. I had previously mentioned how he always took care of me... Well, around the same time that summer, I was taking a diet pill that made me very sick. I fainted while brushing him in the hot sun; scratching my face and arms on a wooden fence. I fell flat underneath him in the corral. I was told later on that at least a half an hour had passed before coming to. I woke up to find Navajo standing beside me, licking and nuzzling my face with a worried look on his own. That day I was convinced even further - this horse was meant to be my guardian angel. After 14 years of having to travel an hour to see him, I was finally able to move Navajo and my second horse just 10 minutes from my home! I spent nearly every day of the last 3 years of Navajo's life, at the barn with 'my boys'. Every day I'd find Navajo resting in the warmth of the afternoon sun. And as soon as he saw me arrive, I'd always be greeted with a happy whinny...a whinny I will forever miss. Sadly, every story must come to an end. In April of 2003, Navajo's health took a sudden turn for the worse. I first noticed he had stopped eating - almost completely. I had tried to feed him dozens of his favorite treats, but nothing sparked his interest. I was very lucky to have a wonderful vet. She made the long ride every day to give him meds and check on him. The moment I saw he was beginning to founder, we loaded him on the trailer and shipped him directly to an equine hospital. This was becoming much more serious than we had all cared for it to be. He spent the last 3 days of his life at the New England Equine Clinic located in Brewster, NY. The people there were wonderful, but could not work miracles; which is what he needed. After exhausting every possibility, plus some, it was time. I spent over $5,000.00 trying to save my baby boy. The Melanoma finally showed it's ugly head, on top of which, he was going into kidney failure. Sadly, at the age of 29, Navajo has passed on to greener pastures. I can honestly say I do not know what life is like without my 'Navi'. However, as they say, when horrible things like this happen, we must push on, no matter how hard it is. I was extremely lucky to have very supportive friends throughout it all. The best I can do is simply think of all the wonderful memories he has given me. I can honestly and very proudly say, I know he enjoyed every day of his life while he was in my care. I never once left the barns without being sure to give him a hug and a kiss goodbye, sometimes two. Treating every day as if my last chance to look into those big beautiful Arabian eyes. I will forever remember him as my best friend, my baby boy...my pride and joy. Thank you once again to the little girl who lost interest in him...who ever and where ever you are... Navajo has made my life whole. "Sa Afran", 'Navajo" AHRA# 113205 02/26/74 - 04/16/03  May the trail rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. The snow fall soft on the plains around you In the hollow of His hand...  Renee Pluchino Fort Lee, NJ
Nov 12, 2004	We in the Equine World would like to extend our Sympathy and Prayers to Jane Noble-Maxwell of Vermontville, NY on the passing of her very special yearling, Daisy, on November 12th, 2004. Hannah, better known as Sporty's Darling was her mom and BenJay was her dad at Jay Mele's Farm in Saranac, NY. Please extend Jane and her family your Thoughts and Prayers on this very sad occasion. Your friends,  Sue & George Stearns	Rainbow bridge
December 2004	The families of Plumbrook have been saddened by the loss of Tarnish, loved by all who knew her and witnessed her courage, by Becca who would run back to the barn because she forgot to give Tarney her treat when she gave one to Pretty Boy and Ashley who with a big smile told me that she got a blue with Tarnish, and for Mandy who loved her most of all, I share these thoughts.  In Memory of Tarnish You’ll see her shadow, You’ll hear her neigh, You’ll know she’s found peace, Tarney’s “gone away”. A precious friend, Now she’ll run and play, She’s whole again, Tarney’s” gone away”.	Photo
Summer 2005	Condolences go out to Don and Linda Gagnon on their loss of Nuther Fiddle Dexter.  He was a good stud in this area, producing many show winners, and making his "parents" proud.  He will be sorely missed by them.  Rest easy Scoot.

Rainbow Bridge   Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When a horse dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run with the wind and enjoy the companionship of their own kind. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable; fear and worry free. All the horses who had been ill and old are restored to health and the vigor of youth. Those who were abused, hurt, or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we would want to remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The horses are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind, so long ago. In each mind there is a "someone" who was kind, gentle and loving. One someone who took the extra step, stayed the extra minute, reached out and touched with love, even once. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, galloping over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy nickering rings in your ears and a velvet muzzle nuzzles your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the big, trusting eyes of your special love and partner, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown... Prayers from a Horse Author: Anonymous 1. Give me time to know what you wannt of me. I don’t understand your words. 2. Don’t be angry with me when I do not understand. I have only you to explain things to me.  3. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice. 4. Be aware that however you treat me I will not forget it. 5. Keep me safe from harm, because I am no longer wild and able to know my enemies. 6. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could crush the bones in your hand and hooves that could kill you. But, I choose not to use them. 7. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if I am well or if something may be bothering me. 8. My life islikely to last 20 to 30 years. Please make sure that I am taken care of because I cannot care for myself. 9. Go with me on difficult journeys. Don’t say “I can’t stand to watch it,” or “let it happen in my abscense.” Everything is easier for me if you are there. 10. Place your trust in me and I will trust you.

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