My sister in law recently lost her horse, Bailey do to an infection. When the hurricane was going to hit Texas last year, we loaded up all of the horses to take them north west with us. During Bailey's loading, there was a small arguement between her and another horse which wound up with a small scratch on Bailey's lower back thigh. Doctor it and keep going, it's just a scratch we thought.

Weeks later everything is back to normal, the horses are home and it's a really hot day. We have two old ponds out front. It's the only water aside from the water trough's the horses have seen in months. We haven't had any real rain since winter of '07. Horses take a dip in the ponds, like always. Bailey gets a staff infection in the tiny, insignificant scratch.

Over the course of some months, her leg just... grew into this horrific mass of... it was just gross. THe vet's were constantly draining it and cutting into it. Eventually the infection made its way through her body and there wasn't anything more that could be done.

What makes this horse so special? Bailey, when she came to us, was an abused yearling, terribly interbred already and pregnant with her sire's offspring already. She was so distrustful and angry that she and my sister in law took a trip to see a pupil of John Lyons. I'm sure you horses people know who that is. THey spent 6 months there and when Bailey came home with my sis in law, she was completely different. You wouldn't believe the things they went through together for them to trust each other. She was a break through horse. And she will be missed.

So, this is for my sister in law. THe background blows, I'm aware. But that's ok considering that isn't the focal point of this image. I've yet to show it to my sis in law because she is out of town for a few days. But I'm sure she'll like it.

Rest in peace Bailey.