Final Ride
by Peggy Jo Hilburn
7" × 8" × 4"
Artist Statement:
In 2017 we had new neighbors move nearby who had horses. Marissa showed horses and won unanimous champion at Scottsdale. Both of her horses were retired show horses.
When the horses were first shipped to Texas, Taz & Lucent (aka Lucy) stayed here while their barn was being built. Marissa would come twice a day to feed and clean their pen. She would also come by just to spend time with her horses and bring her camping chair and a book. They had limited exposure to traffic and riding on the road. I walked with Marissa and Lucy for many miles making sure they were comfortable and safe. After a few weeks we were both able to ride our horses around the neighborhood. Lucy was an incredible horse always kind and gentle.
Taz crossed over the rainbow bridge not long after he was able to move home into his new barn.
n 2022 Lucy developed cancer in his eye and had to have it removed. Unfortunately, in 2023 the cancer spread to his other eye and his body. The hard but humane decision was made to let him go. Once he crossed over the rainbow bridge and Marissa was no longer there , I came behind her to make a mold of Lucy's hoof. Her friend Cheyenne came to help me make the mold.
I know some folks might think this is bizarre, but when I had to make a hard decision with my dog the vet made a print of my dogs paw from air dry clay. This is the same for Marissa but made in glass.
About the piece:
I want to be able to view the bottom hoof structures thru a crystal clear window at top of hoof capsule. It is amazing how the structure works. There is a 1/4" white line attaching the outside of the hoof to inside of hoof supporting a 1000 lb animal. The frog (triangular part) acts as the spring board to lift the animal during its phase of stride.
by Peggy Jo Hilburn
7" × 8" × 4"
Artist Statement:
In 2017 we had new neighbors move nearby who had horses. Marissa showed horses and won unanimous champion at Scottsdale. Both of her horses were retired show horses.
When the horses were first shipped to Texas, Taz & Lucent (aka Lucy) stayed here while their barn was being built. Marissa would come twice a day to feed and clean their pen. She would also come by just to spend time with her horses and bring her camping chair and a book. They had limited exposure to traffic and riding on the road. I walked with Marissa and Lucy for many miles making sure they were comfortable and safe. After a few weeks we were both able to ride our horses around the neighborhood. Lucy was an incredible horse always kind and gentle.
Taz crossed over the rainbow bridge not long after he was able to move home into his new barn.
n 2022 Lucy developed cancer in his eye and had to have it removed. Unfortunately, in 2023 the cancer spread to his other eye and his body. The hard but humane decision was made to let him go. Once he crossed over the rainbow bridge and Marissa was no longer there , I came behind her to make a mold of Lucy's hoof. Her friend Cheyenne came to help me make the mold.
I know some folks might think this is bizarre, but when I had to make a hard decision with my dog the vet made a print of my dogs paw from air dry clay. This is the same for Marissa but made in glass.
About the piece:
I want to be able to view the bottom hoof structures thru a crystal clear window at top of hoof capsule. It is amazing how the structure works. There is a 1/4" white line attaching the outside of the hoof to inside of hoof supporting a 1000 lb animal. The frog (triangular part) acts as the spring board to lift the animal during its phase of stride.
by Peggy Jo Hilburn
7" × 8" × 4"
Artist Statement:
In 2017 we had new neighbors move nearby who had horses. Marissa showed horses and won unanimous champion at Scottsdale. Both of her horses were retired show horses.
When the horses were first shipped to Texas, Taz & Lucent (aka Lucy) stayed here while their barn was being built. Marissa would come twice a day to feed and clean their pen. She would also come by just to spend time with her horses and bring her camping chair and a book. They had limited exposure to traffic and riding on the road. I walked with Marissa and Lucy for many miles making sure they were comfortable and safe. After a few weeks we were both able to ride our horses around the neighborhood. Lucy was an incredible horse always kind and gentle.
Taz crossed over the rainbow bridge not long after he was able to move home into his new barn.
n 2022 Lucy developed cancer in his eye and had to have it removed. Unfortunately, in 2023 the cancer spread to his other eye and his body. The hard but humane decision was made to let him go. Once he crossed over the rainbow bridge and Marissa was no longer there , I came behind her to make a mold of Lucy's hoof. Her friend Cheyenne came to help me make the mold.
I know some folks might think this is bizarre, but when I had to make a hard decision with my dog the vet made a print of my dogs paw from air dry clay. This is the same for Marissa but made in glass.
About the piece:
I want to be able to view the bottom hoof structures thru a crystal clear window at top of hoof capsule. It is amazing how the structure works. There is a 1/4" white line attaching the outside of the hoof to inside of hoof supporting a 1000 lb animal. The frog (triangular part) acts as the spring board to lift the animal during its phase of stride.