He always came. Any time. Every time.
He was the original Soul of a Horse and will always be. Cash is where it all started, both our journey with horses, and that first book. It was his book, I the mere interpreter. The one who passed along what he taught me. And, as the book became a national best seller, he became The Soul of a Horse to so many.
Dawn Hubbard wrote: “Joe, the pictures you and Kathleen shared brought him alive for us. We can never say thank you enough. He, more so than any human, lived a life larger than life. He will always be an icon, a hero, a gift from God and he did what he was sent to do…change your life, as you did his, and then ours. He will find Malachi and nuzzle him and play with him and teach him ‘the ropes’ of being a horse above all horses!”
From Helen Miller in Italy: “There is a wave of shared grief and shock around the world. We loved him so much from afar. It was Cash and you I thought about in my round-pen, trying to learn with my horses, getting it wrong, them being bemused and kind, the moments when together we learned something small, the wonderful first moments of harmony when we got things right. It was Cash and you thought of when I scooped the DE into their bowls, Cash and you when I walked around the meadow examining my first-ever low-sugar meadow hay. It is like our leader, our spiritual guide vanished before I had time to realise I loved him and to thank him. Although of course I know he is still there. His spirit feels close.”
From Pam Rangel in Texas: “He touched countless hearts and made us better horse people. There will never be another Cash. You two were meant to conquer the world, and you did. He was an exceptional teacher and you as his interpreter. What a pair you two were! Just know that millions mourn with you. Rest easy, Big Boy. You did your job well.”
Form Nina Black Reid: “My heart aches for your beautiful, extraordinary Cash. I am so happy that I was able to meet him. He changed all of our lives and the lives of so many horses. Cash was a gift from God and will be forever in our hearts.”
From Sharon Miller Snyder: “I have walked every mile you have written with Cash and it was obvious with every horse that was added to the herd, the words were about Cash. This morning I walked to the barn and hugged my Honey and Zz and cried in their manes! They can’t possibly know their lives are free because of Cash! They get treats, because of Cash! They spend time walking in the pastures at Liberty with me, because of Cash! I sit in the pasture and let them roam around me, because of Cash! They are left out at night and never locked in their stalls anymore, because of Cash! My heart is breaking.”
From Susan Boyd: “Cash is a beautiful soul and you brought him to life for me and so many others. My life and the way I care for my horses has changed because of Cash and what he brought into your life. Know that you are loved by many and Cash will live in my memory forever. And know that all eight of my horses have benefited because you and Cash met.”
And on and on and on. So many more. Thank all of you so much for focusing on Cash and what he accomplished in this life. Without him in my life I’m certain none of this would’ve ever happened. And horses in the United Arab Emirates, Italy, France, England, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mallorca, Namibia, Canada, and all across the USA would not be leading such happier, healthier lives. Cash reached out and grabbed my heart and never let it go. He, personally, changed my life, and how much I cared about horses. And why. And I can only recommend that you open up your own vulnerable self and allow a horse into that special part of your being. From that point on you will see things so differently. And your life, too, will never be the same. Nor will your horse’s.
Love them now, before it’s too late.
Joe
Joe,
Thank you. There will never be another Cash, maybe there won’t even be another one that is even close to what Cash was. There needs to be another special horse for you to continue to share what you and Cash started. If only our favorites could live longer than we do so we wouldn’t feel the pain of losing them. But they don’t. Part of what you have showed all of us is that each horse has something different to offer, and needs something different from his human. There are so many horses and humans that still need you, your ideas, and your love for horses, please don’t stop sharing and pushing and proving new ways that make a better life for us and our beloved horses. Cash is a legend, an angel that was borrowed to help you show the way. Thank you, Cash.