29/12/2024
Three days ago, we said goodbye to Samra...and this is how long it took to write down this!
Samra was a cherished part of our herd, a soul whose presence brought warmth and quiet understanding. The latest to join us, yet somehow she left a lasting imprint on our hearts. Like all horses, she had an extraordinary gift – the ability to sense sadness, to feel what words cannot express, and to offer comfort in the most profound and unconditional ways. This ability is the heart of our practice, the reason we do what we do. Yet, even within this shared gift, each horse brings something unique, and Samra’s uniqueness touched us deeply.
Samra lived her life in service, offering solace, love, and connection until her very last day. Her journey with Sarj was one of purpose and meaning, and we celebrate the life she lived — a life where her gifts were recognized, her spirit honored, and her contributions valued. Sarj is meant to be more than just a practice; it is a sanctuary where horses like Samra are given the space to thrive, to connect, and to live the life they deserve.
Writing this feels heavy, like walking a tightrope. This is, after all, a business. And yet, Samra was not a machine; she was not just part of an operation. She was a spirit that carried the essence of Sarj’s philosophy — love, connection, and healing. Honoring her memory is not a distraction from the work; it is a reflection of what the work truly means.
But there’s another layer to this grief that is deeply tied to the nature of our work. What we do requires us to walk a delicate and strange balance — forming genuine and authentic connections with every horse we meet, whether in our herd or elsewhere, while staying aware that the physical bond might end at any moment. It’s a paradox, loving so deeply and yet holding space for inevitable loss.
Isn’t this the yin and yang of life itself? The beauty cannot exist without the pain, and the connection cannot be true without the awareness of its fragility. This dance between holding on and letting go, between giving all and knowing it might not last, is what gives our journey its meaning.
Indeed, losing Samra got us thinking about the fact that losing an animal lacks the shared rituals we have for human loss. There is no gathering of loved ones, no shared moments of remembrance, no collective comfort. It’s a grief that lingers in solitude, a heaviness you carry alone, unsure if others will understand the depth of your pain. And when you finally choose to share it, it’s often reduced to a social media post, met with either empathy or silence, leaving you questioning if it was the right thing to do.
Yet, here we are, writing this. Not for validation, not even for acceptance. But because Samra deserves it. Because grief, in all its forms, deserves to be seen and shared.
Today, as we mourn her loss, we also celebrate her life. A life that was lived with grace and purpose. A life that reminds us of a core part of why Sarj exists — to honor these magnificent beings, to give them the care, the dignity, and the love they deserve.
Samra, you taught us so much without a single word. You will always be part of our story, our herd, and our hearts. Rest easy, dear friend.
