Lydia’s Song; the loss of a horse and a story of love, accomplishments and companionship

It started with a troubling post on facebook

Some time ago Jennifer posted a troubling note on her facebook profile. Her prized and loved competitive partner for many years was very ill and as a result had foundered. She was working with specialists to try to save the horse, but she expressed great concern that she might have to put Lydia down. Severe foundering causes the bones in the feet to push through the bottom of the hoof (that is my understanding), but Jennifer did not know how severe the situation was yet. She expressed great fear and many responded with concern and words of encouragement on her profile page.

I knew Jennifer from shooting several horse shows at her farm called Dancing Horse Farm in Lebanon, Ohio. I called her the next day and suggested that I would come to her farm and do a portrait session at no charge. We would bring the horse into the soft grass and take portraits of Jennifer with her cherished competitive partner. She agreed, and we set a time. When I arrived Jennifer almost canceled the session. It was just too difficult for her, but with encouragement from me and Lenny, her husband, we pressed forward to do the session. The situation was very touching and tears ran down my face from time to time. On our way home from the session, Patty and I talked about taking some more portraits of her with her horses.

The first half of this book are the portraits from that session. Within two weeks Jennifer had to have the horse put down. As a way of coping, Jennifer chronicled Lydia’s life from when they first met through all the dressage competitions she participated in and then through the very last day when she took Lydia to their grave site where she had to leave her with the vet after some final moments together. The second half of this book tells that entire story and shares many things that were posted by other onto Jennifer’s wall to offer condolences and encouragement.

As a photographer, many times people express that they wish they had photographs of those they were close to (whether animal or human). This is frequently something that is expressed to photographers after nothing can be done about it any more. In this case, because Jennifer was willing to share her situation on facebook, I was able to respond and with encouragement together we created beautiful images that she will cherish for the rest of her life.

 

Lydia’s Song | Make Your Own Book

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