Obituary horse Toni
Toni was blind, but still saw through people
(…) Horses have gentle souls, but they are very fragile.
but they are very fragile.
They are guardians and companions,
but sometimes also a child.
from: Poems by Norbert van Tiggelen
Toni reached a biblical age of 44 years and fell asleep a few weeks agorestfully. In 2004 a horse dealerbrought Tonitogether with the three other Arabian stallions, Leslie, Zenzi and Ali Baba to Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf. He had taken over the horses from a man who was himself confined to a wheelchair and could no longer hold the horses. They were namelessand frightened, when they became Aiderbichler. Your state of health was shameful.
Toni and his friends travelled the world for years - their health problems were a minor matter
They travelled to the riding arenas of various fairs, day after day, year after year, round after round, from one town to the next. The halters were partially ingrown and riveted on all the horses. For years, their heads were tied tightly to their chests to give the impression that they were fiery. They ran in circles with screaming children or boisterous adults on their backs. Toni, Leslie, Zenzi and Ali Baba accepted these years of torture without complaint. Toni’s eyes then had to be removed. They were ill and caused major problems. Whether it was the posture or the monotonous use that caused the eye damage – we don’t know.
The feeling of freedom on the pastures of Gut Aiderbichl
Like in one of their dressage acts, Toni and his friends ran in circles across the grass. Then they split up and ran around wildly until they met up again in a circle. At some point, our patience and love had shown the horses that a life full of performances and pain was over. They felt more and more that they were respected and honoured. Being with us suddenly showed the maltreated horses humanity.
Toni survived them all - and became a memorial
Some people were shocked when they realised that Toni no longer had eyes. Adults and children often went into shock at the sight of his face. The story of why it had come to this then brought tears to their eyes. They then wanted to stroke Toni and ask for forgiveness for all his suffering. Toni had accepted his fate and his ears and sense of smell helped him to get on with his life. Toni became deaf with age, but his sense of smell was intact. He needed to be able to rest and so Toni was moved to Gut Aiderbichl’s A-stable (old people’s stable). One of his friends became Sabrina and Little Uncle, who are also blind.
Toni knew what children were like
A few months before his death, he took away a little boy's fear of horses
A little boy, who was terrified of horses, listened with great emotion to the story of Toni, the deaf and blind horse. He stood there and looked wide-eyed into old Toni’s eyeless face. Toni’s nostrils moved slowly. With small steps he approached my hand, which he knew. The boy’s small hand slowly felt its way to Toni’s mouth and Toni tilted his head down. It was eerily quiet – all you could hear was Toni’s soft breathing. The little boy stroked Toni and he cried. Toni’s gentle soul had opened the door for the boy. As if he meant: “Respect is good, you don’t have to be afraid”.
Toni’s task was complete
A quiet song of tears began
Blind, then deaf, didn’t make Toni give up. No, it was a tumour that ended his life. All the keepers were with him, the sun shone warmly on his thick, white fur. He quietly said goodbye and sank peacefully into a deep, well-earned sleep. It was very quiet again, the horses looked from the paddock to their friend Toni and nobody moved. A quiet song of tears began. Toni is now with his friends Zenzi, Lesslie and Ali Baba.
Last thoughts from the Aiderbichler keepers for their Toni
Dear Toni,
You couldn’t see the colours of nature for many years, but you always felt them and us. You showed us that every day.
You loved your sunbaths, the fresh wind. And you were as happy as a rascal when we forgot to close your stall door because we thought you couldn’t escape anyway. And then you walked to the meadow alone and proudly with your head held high.
When we put a blanket on you, you always licked us and we took that as a sign of gratitude. You even showed the farrier, the dentist and the vet that you liked them. If you didn’t like something, you pinched us lovingly and that was ok.
You slept like a baby in your box and you could snore like a big boy. You were full of love and trust in us, thank you. You were a fighter. We will never forget you, because you filled so many years with joy and have a big place in our hearts. Take care, dear Toni.
Your carers Lisa, Martina, Eva, Michaela, Vanessa, Marco and Raphaela
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
