Dune Lakes Angel Horses: Flash
By Rob Pliskin, Equine Pathfinders Foundation volunteer
Flash left us suddenly earlier this year after a tragic paddock accident where his leg was badly broken. His passing was a terrible shock to all who loved him. He may be gone in body, but looks over us in spirit. Flash had a difficult early life, afraid in his first thunderstorm and not even a yearling, he hung up in a fence and cut his right hind badly below the hock.
Rosemary and Al took long hours helping the wound heal and keeping him walking — walking through swelling, through proud flesh, and then all through the hills of Dune Lakes Lodge, ponied by Rosemary and Solo, and finally on his own with the herd. So with lots of human contact, lots of loving, and a scar that doesn’t tell the story, Flash has had a lot of opportunity to get comfortable with humans and even dogs. His starting was easy and uneventful.
He was born curious, and grew up friendly, full of play, and pushing boundaries. Ask the lovely Christmas family’s equally friendly and playful black Labrador. When out on grazing with the Christmases, sometimes Flash would give him a soft massage with lips and muzzle from head right down his back. And trickster that he is, then Flash would bite his tail. The chase would be on.
To see how one horse could have touched so many people is profoundly moving. Good boy Flash - we hope you can see how far your ripples have reached.
Flash may be gone in body, but looks over us in spirit.
The Dune Lakes herd at play.
The horses of the Dune Lakes herd are an integral part of the Dune Lakes Lodge Retreat and Horse Inspired Learning Centre where they help their human partners create learning experiences to improve the wellbeing and success of children, youth, adults, and families.
Under the loving care of Rosemary Wyndham-Jones and Equine Pathfinders Foundation, the horses make their home on the beautiful South Kaipara Head Peninsula, a massive, ancient sand barrier that separates the South Kaipara Harbour from the Tasman Sea.
Find out more about what's in store for the 2020 festival program