It's been one whole year since Vive lost his battle with Uveitis. I didn't talk about it because I was too busy worrying, crying and figuring out what was right and what was wrong -- and what was for HIM and NOT ME. As far as Vive is concerned, life without a right eye is just fine. I mean, yeah, his silly human lets the gate hit him on his blind side because she forgets to think for him on the ground sometimes but.... in the saddle, we are an unstoppable force. For that and more, I am selfishly relieved.

I am grateful beyond words to the specialists that treated him and my vet who never fails us. I have owned him for 20 years and there were many tears on my part. I still look at him and wonder why it had to happen but he has forgotten all about it and has gotten on with life, still doing the things he loves and being the best horse he can be.

God's greatest gift to me is a little red bay horse who wasn't fast enough for the track and while I sometimes didn't know how to make things work the best way, I treasure each and every day we have had together. Throughout it all, Vive is still the same horse - brave and kind and forgiving - and he teaches me how to live ❤️

update:

We haven't ridden in a year. He has a cataract in his left eye, his only eye, and I know that changes how he sees things dramatically when he moved from the outside light to the darkness of the barn's sanctuary. But that's not why. He injured his left hind leg on a woods ride. I remember that day clearly because it felt like a back wheel came off. I walked him home and treated his injury as best I could. Presently he is not lame. Sometimes I hop on him for a short bareback stroll and while I miss our magical rides, he doesn't owe me anything except the magic of his presence.