01/15/2024
On Wednesday afternoon, our big, beautiful, and caring Belgian Draft Horse cross, Sierra, passed away peacefully, but unexpectedly, surrounded by those who loved her most. She was 22-years-old. She stood an impressive 17 Hands and weighed 2000 Pounds. Sierra is recognized for her work as a horse teacher, and for how incredibly empowering her lessons were to her students. Sierra was a gentle giant, with a heart that was even bigger. Sierra changed lives and help many students to gain confidence and build their leadership skills. She had a sweet soul and was the definition of “don’t judge a book by its cover”, with students often in awe of her size and timid to interact with her. But after working with Sierra, students felt the love and compassion that she gave to them. Sierra’s patient and giant heart taught over 100 students during her meaningful 4.5 year career here at Gully’s Learning Ranch. Sierra is already greatly missed by all of us, especially her herd. Sierra was the Alpha Mare and leader of our herd. She had a grounding presence, and everyone is feeling a bit lost without her.
Sierra originally joined our herd as a companion to our horse, Wayne, Jr., in October of 2017. She was a competition riding horse for a young teenage boy prior to her becoming injured. Sierra was trained to participate in 3-day events, which includes three different discipline events. As a riding horse, Sierra was trained in jumping, dressage, and eventing. However, she was a big girl for some of these disciplines and this led to her coming down with career-ending Laminitis in her front right hoof. Sierra could no longer jump, and her owners wanted her to find a retirement home. They offered her for free – but she was worth her weight in gold! Sierra soon became our very first horse teacher and was the first horse to work through a lesson with students and our Certified Equine Facilitator, Michelle. She did amazingly! Sierra soon became an icon, and with her beauty, grace, love, patience, and kindness, she taught her students to believe in themselves and to confidently move forward in life – especially all the women she worked with. Sierra was Wayne, our Property Manager’s, first horse. He had cared for many other horses, but Sierra was his, and they had a very special bond. Wayne was Sierra’s favourite person to see walk through the barn doors. They had a wonderful relationship and memories together to last a lifetime. He misses her greatly.
Sierra was always a strong and brave big girl. She was getting older, but was in good health overall, until November of 2023. Sierra developed a horrible case of Cellulitis (an infection under the skin) in her back left leg. She went on antibiotics and the infection cleared up. She felt good for a couple of weeks. But, on January 2nd, 2024, she came down with another Cellulitis infection in the same leg. She was put on the same routine, but this time, the infection was resistant to the antibiotics and she continued to be in discomfort. We tried a stronger antibiotic, but the infection was persistent. She was bright-eyed and eager for apples, until January 10th, 2024, the day we celebrated her 22nd Birthday, she was exhausted. She had fought so hard to stay with us. She had been standing on three legs for over a week at this point, and her body had just given out on her. She had stopped eating. She laid down in her stall and had an extremely hard time getting back up again. We were afraid that she would not have the strength to get back up again and she desperately wanted to rest her body. We knew she was telling us it was her time. Sierra passed away surrounded by love.
Thank you, Sierra, for all you have done for those who you have worked with. Sierra, your strength and kindness were felt by every student who had the opportunity to walk beside you. You are greatly missed by all. We are grateful to have had you in our lives. You will forever be in our hearts. ❤️
Sierra – Gone But Not Forgotten
January 10th, 2002 – January 10th, 2024
