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THWe are saddened to share that our beloved and resilient horse Hiroka has passed. Despite her difficult past, Hiroka was a bright light, embodying joy, strength, and kindness at The Gentle Barn’s California location.
Rescued from a backyard butcher, Hiroka arrived at our sanctuary weak and wounded, yet she showed incredible trust in us from the moment she stepped off the trailer. The Gentle Barn team devoted themselves to heal her body and soul of the pain she endured from her previous horrific living conditions. Over the course of her 12 years with us, we provided her with the best possible care—gentle healing treatments, nourishing organic foods, and an abundance of love.
Hiroka had a special gift for connecting with people. She brought comfort and healing to so many, always eager for scratches and attention from guests, especially those in our equine therapy program, which she absolutely loved. Her spirit was unbreakable, and she inspired everyone around her with her unwavering gratitude for life.
In her advanced years, Hiroka faced significant health challenges, but she kept going because she loved her life at The Gentle Barn so much. While she had been her normal self in recent days, the other morning we found her lying down and unwilling to get back up. Though we did everything we could to ease her pain, it became clear that she was ready to be free from her ailing body. When the vet arrived, she confirmed there was nothing else that could have been done to support her other than to let her go. Hiroka was surrounded by those that she loved and those who loved her.
Hiroka will always hold a special place in our hearts. We are grateful for the love she shared and for the memories we created together. She has left a profound impact on all of us. Thank you for loving Hiroka alongside us. ❤️🩹
@thegentlebarn
