Moonfire, Therapy Horse by Sarah Rose

9x19" 
 
Ink and mixed-media on paper
 
Moonfire was my horse and companion from my teens through adulthood. For over 20 years, he grew up alongside me, traveled with me, and remained a constant presence through some of the most formative and uncertain years of my life. When Moon grew older and retired from competitive riding, he became a therapy horse as part of my therapeutic horsemanship program for adults and teens with developmental disabilities. During groundwork sessions, I would sometimes invite students to paint directly onto Moon's body as part of a relational and sensory exercise. Moon had a quiet, patient presence that made him particularly suited to this job. He helped our students to connect through touch and shared creative experience, standing contentedly while hands pressed and stroked paint onto his sides as though he was an ancient cave wall. This piece is a memorial to Moonfire and to that period of our lives. I imagine encountering him again in our arena, beyond the veil, meeting my eyes and perking up in anticipation for our next adventure or collaboration for the love and healing of our student community and each other.