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Pluto II Delphina II 

 Pluto II Delphina II, also known as 'Arez', was an outstanding horse that truly exemplified the qualities of the Lipizzan horse.

Born and raised by Carole Gauger in Montrose, MI he was destined to become a star for many reasons.  Shortly after Carole sold him to his first owner, he sustained an injury that most horses would never recover from...a fractured hock.  Some time after going back into Carole's care and recuperating from the injury, Arez was to live the majority of his years as a show horse based in Green Bay, WI at the stable of Nyla Naniot.  There, he received his training which brought him up to the level of Prix St. George.  A testament to the hardiness of the Lipizzan breed, Arez remained entirely sound on that previously injured leg for nearly the remainder of his life.  Arthritis did not set in until has last 2 years, but was still manageable with supplementation. 

Arez was seen in horse expos and fairs all over the Midwest.  He performed in a Pas de Deux with his older brother, Pluto II Delphina 'Aries', as well as numerous quadrilles.  The two brothers were always inseparable and never went anywhere without one another.  Together they made appearances in shows on an annual basis, always attending the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI.  Arez was a school master with all the moves except piaffe and passage.  Shortly after I acquired him just 4 years ago he made it clear that he was truly extraordinary and could do even more than that.

Arez was the one that 5 year old girls who had never ridden a horse could climb aboard, take the reins, and just go with nothing to worry about.  He was the horse that multiple riders who had suffered terrible injuries and accidents while riding in the past could get on to get back into the swing of things and rebuild their confidence.  I can think of at least four riders who cantered on him a few rides after their first time with him, and then exclaimed, "That is the FIRST time I have cantered in THREE YEARS!".  He was the horse that carried many riders through their first flying changes, pirouettes, and half passes.  And he was also the horse that taught countless riders from up and down the East coast and in the Midwest just how important and effective the weight aids are by giving lunge lessons.  Riders had driven in from as far away as Virginia and Chicago just to ride him to work on their seat and position.  If you did not sit 'just' so he would not stay round!  If you didn't breathe he would not do a downward transition no matter what.  In addition to teaching countless riders of all ages, he also taught me more than I will ever realize.  I learned from him as a riding instructor.  Just a few weeks after his passing he was scheduled to carry a new friend of mine, coming from Chicago, on her first real lunge lessons.  This rider has no legs from the knees down and no hands due to a staph infection.  She did ride him once and her grin reached from ear to ear after the ride.  For me, he was the horse that taught me as an instructor to have more patience with the students, explain things a little bit differently if the rider did not get it right the first time, and to remind the rider that the horse is just a reflection of the riders skill and concentration.

One week before the end of this noble horse's life, he suddenly and violently colicked.  He had never been sick a day in his life and I immediately knew that the colic was a symptom rather than a problem.  We were able to control and manage the colic that afternoon.  His spirits picked up, he continued to eat, but was kept on IV fluids for nearly a week because he refused to drink.  After a few days of difficulty passing manure we were able to discover via ultrasound that there was a mass partially blocking the intestine.  The mass was so large and extensive that it reached beyond what could be seen.  Because he looked so good, so fit, and happy, the decision was made to euthanize before it could cause any more suffering as surgery was not an option.

His final days were blessed with all of his students, friends, and family visiting and feeding him apples and carrots.  There were tears of sorrow, but also grateful tears of happiness.  These things do not always happen in a way that we can show our appreciation.  In this case he deserved every last minute of praise that he received.