Maverick was rescued from a killpen in Arkansas. I was in love with him before we even met him. He was skinny, beat up and lame when he arrived at the Arkansas rescue who volunteered to quarantine Maverick for us. The rescue generously offered get him well enough to make the long trip to us. About a month later, Maverick arrived at the ranch. The first thing that stuck out about Maverick was his amazing personality. Mav was goofy and silly. Always making faces and sticking out his tongue. He was the first horse to whinny a greeting every morning. He was always so happy to see you and he loved everyone. He had a very odd-looking front foot that caused him limped. It clearly caused him pain so he was on pain medication. He loved to eat and was gaining weight quickly. We truly hoped he was headed for a happy ending and I personally spend countless hours brushing him and telling him to hurry up and get better so we could hit the trails together. I had wonderful dreams at night about riding him through the mountains. I did not realize that dream would never come true. I noticed the more weight Mav gained, the more he would limp. The hoof was not getting better. It was getting worse. I called our vet and asked for x-rays. The x-rays confirmed what I had feared the most. Maverick's coffin bone had not only rotated, but it had also started disintegrating! That was Maverick's death sentence and there was nothing we could do to save him. My heart broke into a million pieces. The old injury had not been properly taken care of prior to us saving him from the killpen. We didn't know it but it had already been too late to truly save him by the time we bailed him out. Now some people might think it was a waste of money and time to bail Mav out only to have to say goodbye to him.  We don't believe that. I think we were the Angels he needed to give him the best last months of his life. He was an amazing horse with a HUGE personality. He was overflowing with love and life. He touched everyone he met and changed them for the better. Mav was an absolute favorite of all the volunteers.  For me, Mav reminded me of why I rescued horses in the first place.  We gave him all the best pain meds and the greatest last 2 weeks. We wanted all the people whose lives he had touched the opportunity to say goodbye. Mav had a tremendous number of visitors who brought treats, carrots, apples, brushing and love. I spent his last day with him alone and gave him all the love I had in my heart. I cried a millon tears and thanked him for letting me a part of his life. He passed away peacefully knowing he was loved. He will forever be in our hearts and a part of this ranch.

--Michelle Phaneuf