Jason was my first animal. He was an 11.2 hand donkey. I was 8 years old when my parents bought him for me. He lived across the street and our neighbors could not handle him. I adored him and visited him every day. He always did whatever I asked of him. He would not mind for adults but a child has a way with animals and Jason was proof of that.

We were too poor to buy a saddle or a bridle. Someone gave us a bridle and I rode him bareback. In the beginning I was allowed to ride him on our property only and as my parents grew comfortable in knowing I could handle him, I was allowed to go off to a friend’s house and visit people in the neighborhood.

Jason and I grew together. I took riding lessons at 9 years old at Orcland Farm in West Newbury where I grew up. I would come home all excited and teach Jason every thing I learned. I taught him to stand parked out like a park Morgan. I even made little chains for his front feet so he would show some action. I taught him to drive and I taught him to jump. He really could jump and he flew over ditches! He never refused a thing.

As I got older my parents allowed me to ride him everywhere and trusted us together. I would ride him for miles and hours at a time. During the hot summer months I would ride to Mill Pond and we would swim together. I followed the Myopia Hunt twice a year when they would come to town. The hunt coming to town was a big event for us. They hunted from one end of town to the other back in those days.

My parents finally got a little western saddle for me. I really did not like riding in a saddle because I was so used to riding bareback. I liked the feel of being on his back and the close contact. One day I was coming home from a friend’s house and I leaned over to adjust my stirrup and the saddle slipped underneath Jason’s belly. I fell off and he kicked me in the face by mistake and broke my nose. I walked back to my friend’s home and scared them because I was all blood. I wanted to get washed up so my parents would not sell Jason. I knew it was not his fault. My parents were understanding and really good about it. I got to keep Jason. I remember lying in bed in terrible pain for days. I would go out and just sit with Jason and stroke his face. Somehow he made all that pain go away.

Horse shows were held at Cardinal Cushing Academy. They had a lovely equestrian facility. They had a wonderful outside course and a neat drop fence. They held horse shows there. At Orcland Farm I was able to enter one of their horse shows on their horses. I trained Jason to walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring, stand square and rein back. I rode up on my donkey one Sunday intending to enter some classes. Much to my surprise I was refused! They would not allow me to show Jason because he was not a horse or a pony. I remember sadly riding away and cried to my parents when I got home. Why it was just not fair that Jason could not be in a show just because his ears were long. This was my first exposure to prejudice. I got over it and enjoyed Jason for what he gave me.

Eventually I outgrew him. We sold him to my trainer at the time. She came and picked him up in a station wagon! I will never forget his little face looking out that back window. It was such a sad day for me but I wanted to grow and become a better rider. In order to do that I needed a larger animal. Jason died shortly after because my trainer did not inoculate him as she did her other horses. They lived next to a chicken farm. I was told he died of encephalitis. I never spoke to her again. I was heartbroken and cried for what seemed like forever. Jason taught me a lot about life and being responsible at a young age. I grew up fast and I am thankful for the lessons and life’s wisdom he gave me. He remains forever in my heart.