A painting of two horses, Goldie and Ginger, from my childhood. They were very dear to me.
Goldie came to my family probably when I was four or five. She was my great-uncle's beloved work horse, and he couldn't afford to keep her. So she came to our farm (heavy in foal) to live out her retirement years in peace. Not long after, Ginger was born.
But I was closest to Goldie. She was such a gentle horse, where as Ginger had to be approached with some caution, as she was never properly broken in- my family weren't "horsey" people. When Ginger was 10, we had to give her away to friends of the family because it was only fair to let her live a life where she herself would be able to have a foal. Ironically, she went back to the same area where Goldie used to live. Last time I saw her was nearly nine years ago.

I have fond memories of giving Goldie a warm soapy bath, then lovingly combing her mane and tail. I think she enjoyed all the attention. My little puppy would walk around underneath her and share the food in her bucket, and she'd watch him with what can only be described as humour in her eyes. Goldie lived until she was thirty, and spent over fifteen years getting pampered and hugged and brushed and getting a coat put on her every night- and we never rode her. My family spent a small fortune trying to keep her alive and well.
Even though Goldie died many years ago, I still miss her and dream of her often. I'm left with magical memories of two beautiful golden Quarter horses.
I don't know whether Ginger is still alive. I hope she is.

Sorry for the blabbering!

Painted from an old photo, and drawn freehand. I "fantasy-fied" their surroundings.
Watercolour and Gouache.
20 x 13 inches.