07/04/2022
Loving a horse is easy.
Losing a horse … is not. 💔
30 years ago - in the early 1990s - Willie T joined the Skyland herd.
Long-time Skylanders may remember when Pottsie brought him “home to Skyland” as a gift for Bunny Brown. Bunny’s beloved horse Trigger had passed away, and Potts thought thought that Bunny and Willie T belonged together.
From the time Willie arrived, he was one of the most gentle, kind, and tender-spirited horses that we’d ever met. Generations of Skyland campers remember Willie as one of their favorite equine partners.
We love that Willie has been able to stay at Skyland through his retirement years, and has continued to be a strong and steady member of the herd.
This summer, he and Charlie went to their own summer camp just up the road in Waynesville.
Their temporary move, to the home of some wonderful horse-loving friends, allowed space for Skyland to bring in horses who would be able to carry riders during the summer programming season.
The temporary move also provided Willie and Charlie with much shade, glorious flat pastures, and humans who love them fiercely.
Earlier this week, Willie’s health began to rapidly decline, and on Sunday evening (7/3/22), while surrounded by humans who have loved him for a very very long time, Willie T passed away ever-so-peacefully in that beautiful shaded pasture.
His life at Skyland was full, and was filled with so very much love from campers, staff, counselors, guests and of course, love from one of his favorite humans Bunny Brown ❤️
(In fact, we’re pretty sure that Bunny Brown and a few Skyland horse angels (Gabe for sure!) were there to meet him as he crossed that rainbow bridge.)
Rest well, Willie T. The love you gave will continue to be felt for years to come.
❤️🐴❤️
